Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PCT/EP2021/054548
AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE HAVING NOVEL CONFIGURATION
The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an
aerosol-
generating substrate and adapted to produce an inhalable aerosol upon heating.
Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as
a tobacco-
containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted, are known in the art.
Typically, in such
heated smoking articles an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a
heat source to a
physically separate aerosol-generating substrate or material, which may be
located in contact
with, within, around, or downstream of the heat source. During use of the
aerosol-generating
article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate
by heat transfer
from the heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-
generating article. As
the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.
A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices for
consuming
aerosol-generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically
heated aerosol-
generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat
from one or more
electrical heater elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-
generating substrate of
a heated aerosol-generating article. For example, electrically heated aerosol-
generating devices
have been proposed that comprise an internal heater blade which is adapted to
be inserted into
the aerosol-generating substrate. As an alternative, inductively heatable
aerosol-generating
articles comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and a susceptor element
arranged within the
aerosol-generating substrate have been proposed by WO 2015/176898.
Aerosol-generating articles in which a tobacco-containing substrate is heated
rather than
combusted present a number of challenges that were not encountered with
conventional smoking
articles. First of all, tobacco-containing substrates are typically heated to
significantly lower
temperatures compared with the temperatures reached by the combustion front in
a conventional
cigarette. This may have an impact on nicotine release from the tobacco-
containing substrate
and nicotine delivery to the consumer. At the same time, if the heating
temperature is increased
in an attempt to boost nicotine delivery, then the aerosol generated typically
needs to be cooled
to a greater extent and more rapidly before it reaches the consumer. However,
technical solutions
that were commonly used for cooling the mainstream smoke in conventional
smoking articles,
such as the provision of a high filtration efficiency segment at the mouth end
of a cigarette, may
have undesirable effects in an aerosol-generating article wherein a tobacco-
containing substrate
is heated rather than combusted, as they may reduce nicotine delivery.
Secondly, a need is
generally felt for aerosol-generating articles that are easy to use and have
improved practicality.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol-
generating article
adapted to achieve at least one of the desirable results described above.
Further, it would be
desirable to provide one such aerosol-generating article that can be
manufactured efficiently and
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at high speed, preferably with a satisfactory RTD and low RTD variability from
one article to
another.
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a
rod of
aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may further
comprise a downstream
section arranged downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and in
axial alignment
with the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The downstream section may
comprise one or more
downstream elements. The aerosol-generating article may be arranged such that
the centre of
mass of the aerosol-generating article is at least 60 percent of the way along
the length of the
aerosol-generating article from the downstream end.
According to the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating
article for
producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article
comprising: a rod of
aerosol-generating substrate; and a downstream section arranged downstream of
the rod of
aerosol-generating substrate and in axial alignment with the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate,
the downstream section comprising one or more downstream elements. According
to the
invention, the aerosol-generating article is arranged such that the centre of
mass of the aerosol-
generating article is at least 60 percent of the way along the length of the
aerosol-generating
article from the downstream end.
The term "aerosol-generating article" is used herein to denote an article
wherein an aerosol-
generating substrate is heated to produce an deliver inhalable aerosol to a
consumer. As used
herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" denotes a substrate capable of
releasing volatile
compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.
A conventional cigarette is lit when a user applies a flame to one end of the
cigarette and
draws air through the other end. The localised heat provided by the flame and
the oxygen in the
air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and
the resulting
combustion generates an inhalable smoke. By contrast, in heated aerosol-
generating articles, an
aerosol is generated by heating a flavour generating substrate, such as
tobacco. Known heated
aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-
generating articles
and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by the
transfer of heat from a
combustible fuel element or heat source to a physically separate aerosol
forming material. For
example, aerosol-generating articles according to the invention find
particular application in
aerosol-generating systems comprising an electrically heated aerosol-
generating device having
an internal heater blade which is adapted to be inserted into the rod of
aerosol-generating
substrate. Aerosol-generating articles of this type are described in the prior
art, for example, in
EP 0822670.
As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device
comprising a heater
element that interacts with the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-
generating article to
generate an aerosol.
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As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "rod" is used
to denote a
generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical
cross-section.
As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to the direction corresponding
to the main
longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which extends between the
upstream and
downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms
"upstream" and
"downstream" describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of
elements, of the aerosol-
generating article in relation to the direction in which the aerosol is
transported through the
aerosol-generating article during use.
During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the
longitudinal direction.
The term "transverse" refers to the direction that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis. Any
reference to the "cross-section" of the aerosol-generating article or a
component of the aerosol-
generating article refers to the transverse cross-section unless stated
otherwise.
The term "length" denotes the dimension of a component of the aerosol-
generating article
in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to denote the
dimension of the rod or
of the elongate tubular elements in the longitudinal direction.
The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention provides a
novel
configuration of elements to provide a centre of mass that is closer to the
upstream end than the
downstream end. The upstream end of the aerosol-generating article at which
the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate is provided is therefore noticeably heavier than the
downstream end. The
aerosol-generating articles according to the invention are therefore provided
with a weight
imbalance that distinguishes them from the aerosol-generating articles of the
prior art.
The provision of an aerosol-generating article having a heavier upstream end
may be
useful to the consumer in distinguishing the different ends of the aerosol-
generating article from
each other, in particular where the ends look similar to each other. The
consumer can therefore
more readily determine which end of the aerosol-generating article to insert
in an aerosol-
generating device, based on haptic feedback when handling the aerosol-
generating article. In
addition, the consumer will find that the heavier upstream end will more
easily and naturally insert
into the device.
The provision of a heavier upstream end may also facilitate certain
manufacturing steps
during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating articles according to the
invention.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an aerosol-
generating article
for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating
article comprises a rod
of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article further
comprises a downstream
section at a location downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate.
The downstream
section may comprise one or more downstream elements.
In the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, the
downstream
section preferably comprises a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may
extend all the
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way to a mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The downstream section
preferably further
comprises an intermediate hollow section between the mouthpiece element and
the rod of
aerosol-generating substrate. The intermediate hollow section preferably
comprises an aerosol-
cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element preferably comprises a hollow
tubular segment.
The intermediate hollow section may further comprise a support element, which
may comprise a
hollow tubular segment.
As used herein, the term "hollow tubular segment" is used to denote a
generally elongate
element defining a lumen or airflow passage along a longitudinal axis thereof.
In particular, the
term "tubular" will be used in the following with reference to a tubular
element having a
substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow
conduit establishing an
uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular
element and a
downstream end of the tubular element. However, it will be understood that
alternative
geometries (for example, alternative cross-sectional shapes) of the tubular
segment may be
possible.
As used herein, the term "elongate" means that an element has a length
dimension that
is greater than its width dimension or its diameter dimension, for example
twice or more its width
dimension or its diameter dimension.
In the context of the present invention a hollow tubular segment provides an
unrestricted
flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular segment provides a negligible
level of resistance
to draw (RTD). The flow channel should therefore be free from any components
that would
obstruct the flow of air in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the flow
channel is substantially
empty.
In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a ventilation
zone at
a location along the downstream section. In more detail, the aerosol-
generating article may
comprise a ventilation zone at a location along the aerosol-cooling element.
In preferred
embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element comprises or is in the form of a
hollow tubular
segment, the ventilation zone being provided at a location along the hollow
tubular segment of
the aerosol-cooling element.
The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an upstream section at a
location
upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream section may
comprise one or
more upstream elements. In some embodiments, the upstream section may comprise
an
upstream element arranged immediately upstream of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate.
The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a susceptor element within
the
aerosol-generating substrate. In some embodiments, the susceptor element may
be an elongate
susceptor element. In preferred embodiments, the susceptor element extend
longitudinally within
the aerosol-generating substrate.
These elements of the aerosol-generating article will be described in further
detail below.
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As described above, the elements of the aerosol-generating article according
to the
invention are arranged such that the centre of mass of the aerosol-generating
article is at least
about 60 percent of the way along the length of the aerosol-generating article
from the
downstream end. More preferably, the elements of the aerosol-generating
article are arranged
such that the centre of mass of the aerosol-generating article is at least
about 62 percent of the
way along the length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream
end, more preferably
at least about 65 percent of the way along the length of the aerosol-
generating article from the
downstream end.
Preferably, the centre of mass is no more than about 70 percent of the way
along the
length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end.
The location of the centre of mass of the aerosol-generating article may be
varied by
adjusting the weight and/or length of at least one the elements of the aerosol-
generating article
such that a greater proportion of the weight is provided towards the upstream
end. This may be
achieved, for example, through an increase in the weight of one or more of the
elements towards
the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, or a decrease in the
weight of the elements
towards the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, or both.
Advantageously, the
weight of certain elements may be increased without necessarily increasing the
length of the
element, by increasing the density of the material forming the element. For
example, where an
element is formed of a fibrous filtration material, the weight of that element
can be increased
through an increase in the density of the fibrous filtration material without
impacting the length of
the element.
The position of the centre of mass of an aerosol-generating article may be
calculated
using known mathematical methods. For example, where an aerosol-generating
article
comprises a plurality of elements as in the present invention, the centre of
mass of the aerosol-
generating article may be approximated by calculating the moment of each
element about the
downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (mass of the element
multiplied by the distance
of the centre of the element from the downstream end). The centre of mass can
be calculated by
dividing the sum of the moments by the total mass of the aerosol-generating
article.
As defined above, the aerosol-generating article of the present invention
comprises a
downstream section comprising one or more downstream elements. Preferably, the
downstream
section comprises a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element is preferably
located at the
downstream end or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece
element
preferably comprises at least one mouthpiece filter segment of fibrous
filtration material for filtering
the aerosol that is generated from the aerosol-generating substrate. For
example, the mouthpiece
element may comprise one or more segments of a fibrous filtration material.
Suitable fibrous
filtration materials would be known to the skilled person. Particularly
preferably, the at least one
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mouthpiece filter segment comprises a cellulose acetate filter segment formed
of cellulose
acetate tow.
In certain preferred embodiments, the mouthpiece element consists of a single
mouthpiece filter segment. In alternative embodiments, the mouthpiece element
includes two or
more mouthpiece filter segments axially aligned in an abutting end to end
relationship with each
other.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the downstream section may comprise a
mouth
end cavity at the downstream end, downstream of the mouthpiece element as
described above.
The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element provided at
the downstream
end of the mouthpiece. Alternatively, the mouth end cavity may be defined by
the outer wrapper
of the mouthpiece element, wherein the outer wrapper extends in a downstream
direction from
the mouthpiece element.
The mouthpiece element may optionally comprise a flavourant, which may be
provided in
any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or
more capsules,
beads or granules of a flavourant, or one or more flavour loaded threads or
filaments.
In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention the
mouthpiece
element forms a part of the downstream section and is therefore located
downstream of the rod
of aerosol-generating substrate.
The downstream section of the aerosol-generating article preferably further
comprises a
support element located immediately downstream of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate. The
mouthpiece element is preferably located downstream of the support element.
The downstream
section preferably further comprises an aerosol-cooling element located
immediately downstream
of the support element. The mouthpiece element is preferably located
downstream of both the
support element and the aerosol-cooling element. Particularly preferably, the
mouthpiece
element is located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element. By
way of example,
the mouthpiece element may abut the downstream end of the aerosol-cooling
element.
Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a low particulate filtration
efficiency.
Preferably, the mouthpiece is formed of a segment of a fibrous filtration
material.
Preferably, the mouthpiece element is circumscribed by a plug wrap.
Preferably, the
mouthpiece element is unventilated such that air does not enter the aerosol-
generating article
along the mouthpiece element.
The mouthpiece element is preferably connected to one or more of the adjacent
upstream
components of the aerosol-generating article by means of a tipping wrapper.
Preferably, the mouthpiece element has an RTD of less than about 25
millimetres H20.
More preferably, the mouthpiece element has an RTD of less than about 20
millimetres H20.
Even more preferably, the mouthpiece element has an RTD of less than about 15
millimetres
H20.
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Values of RTD from about 10 millimetres H20 to about to about 15 millimetres
H20 are
particularly preferred because a mouthpiece element having one such RTD is
expected to
contribute minimally to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article
substantially does not
exert a filtration action on the aerosol being delivered to the consumer.
The mouthpiece element preferably has an external diameter that is
approximately equal
to the external diameter of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece
element may have an
external diameter of between about 5 millimetres and about 10 millimetres, or
between about 6
millimetres and about 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece
element has an
external diameter of approximately 7.2 millimetres.
The mouthpiece element preferably has a length of at least about 5
millimetres, more
preferably at least about 8 millimetres, more preferably at least about 10
millimetres. Alternatively
or in addition, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length of less than
about 25 millimetres,
more preferably less than about 20 millimetres, more preferably less than
about 15 millimetres.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length from about
5
millimetres to about 25 millimetres, more preferably from about 8 millimetres
to about 25
millimetres, even more preferably from about 10 millimetres to about 25
millimetres. In other
embodiments, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length from about 5
millimetres to about
10 millimetres, more preferably from about 8 millimetres to about 20
millimetres, even more
preferably from about 10 millimetres to about 20 millimetres. In further
embodiments, the
mouthpiece element preferably has a length from about 5 millimetres to about
15 millimetres,
more preferably from about 8 millimetres to about 15 millimetres, even more
preferably from about
10 millimetres to about 15 millimetres.
For example, the mouthpiece element may have a length of between about 5
millimetres
and about 25 millimetres, or between about 8 millimetres and about 20
millimetres, or between
about 10 millimetres and about 15 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the
mouthpiece
element has a length of approximately 12 millimetres.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece element has
a length of
at least 10 millimetres. In such embodiments, the mouthpiece element is
therefore relatively long
compared to the mouthpiece element provided in prior art articles. The
provision of a relatively
long mouthpiece element in the aerosol-generating articles of the present
invention may provide
several benefits to the consumer.
The mouthpiece element is typically more resilient to
deformation or better adapted to recover its initial shape after deformation
than other elements
that may be provided downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate,
such as an aerosol-
cooling element or support element. Increasing the length of the mouthpiece
element is therefore
found to provide for improved grip by the consumer and to facilitate insertion
of the aerosol-
generating article into a heating device. A longer mouthpiece may additionally
be used to provide
a higher level of filtration and removal of undesirable aerosol constituents
such as phenols, so
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that a higher quality aerosol can be delivered. In addition, the use of a
longer mouthpiece element
enables a more complex mouthpiece to be provided since there is more space for
the
incorporation of mouthpiece components such as capsules, threads and
restrictors.
In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, a mouthpiece having a
length of at
least 10 millimetres is combined with the relatively short aerosol-cooling
element, having a length
of less than 10 millimetres. This combination has been found to provide a more
rigid mouthpiece
which reduces the risk of deformation of the aerosol-cooling element during
use and to contribute
to a more efficient puffing action by the consumer.
Preferably, the length of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.4 times the
total length of
the intermediate hollow section, preferably at least 0.5 times the length of
the intermediate hollow
section, more preferably at least 0.6 times the length of the intermediate
hollow section, more
preferably at least 0.7 times the length of the intermediate hollow section.
The ratio between the
length of the mouthpiece element and the total length of the intermediate
hollow section is
therefore at least about 0.4, preferably at least about 0.5, more preferably
at least about 0.6 and
most preferably at least about 0.7.
A ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the rod
of aerosol-
generating substrate may be from about 0.5 to about 1.5.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the
length of the rod
of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.6, more preferably at
least about 0.7, even
more preferably at least about 0.8. In preferred embodiments, a ratio between
the length of the
mouthpiece element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
is less than about
1.4, more preferably less than about 1.3, even more preferably less than about
1.2.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and
the
length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.6 to about
1.4, preferably from
about 0.7 to about 1.4, more preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.4. In other
embodiments, a
ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the rod
of aerosol-
generating substrate is from about 0.6 to about 1.3, preferably from about 0.7
to about 1.3, more
preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.3. In further embodiments, a ratio
between the length of the
mouthpiece element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
is from about 0.6
to about 1.2, preferably from about 0.7 to about 1.2, more preferably from
about 0.8 to about 1.2.
In a particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between the length of the
mouthpiece
element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about 1.
A ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of
the aerosol-
generating article substrate may be from about 0.2 to about 0.35.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the
overall length
of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.22, more
preferably at least about
0.24, even more preferably at least about 0.26. A ratio between the length of
the mouthpiece
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element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably less than
about 0.34, more preferably less than about 0.32, even more preferably less
than about 0.3.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and
the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.22 to about
0.34, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.34, even more preferably from
about 0.26 to
about 0.34. In other embodiments, a ratio between the length of the mouthpiece
element and the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.22 to about
0.32, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.32, even more preferably from
about 0.26 to
about 0.32. In further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the
mouthpiece element and
the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably
from about 0.22 to about
0.3, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.3, even more preferably from
about 0.26 to about
0.3.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ratio between the length of the
mouthpiece
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
about 0.27.
The downstream section of the aerosol-generating articles in accordance with
the present
invention preferably further comprises an intermediate hollow section. The
intermediate hollow
section preferably comprises an aerosol-cooling element arranged in alignment
with, and
downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate.
The aerosol-cooling element is preferably arranged substantially in alignment
with the rod.
This means that the length dimension of the aerosol-cooling element is
arranged to be
approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod and of the
article, for example within
plus or minus 10 degrees of parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod.
In preferred
embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element extends along the longitudinal axis
of the rod.
In aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention the
aerosol-cooling
element is preferably in the form of a hollow tubular segment that defines a
cavity extending all
the way from an upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element to a downstream
end of the aerosol-
cooling element. Preferably, a ventilation zone is provided at a location
along the hollow tubular
seg ment.
The inventors have found that a satisfactory cooling of the stream of aerosol
generated
upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate and drawn through one such
aerosol-cooling
element is achieved by providing a ventilation zone at a location along the
hollow tubular segment.
Further, the inventors have found that, as will be described in more detail
below, by arranging the
ventilation zone at a precisely defined location along the length of the
aerosol-cooling element
and by preferably utilising a hollow tubular segment having a predetermined
peripheral wall
thickness or internal volume, it may be possible to counter the effects of the
increased aerosol
dilution caused by the admission of ventilation air into the article.
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Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that, because the
temperature
of the aerosol stream is rapidly lowered by the introduction of ventilation
air as the aerosol is
travelling towards the mouthpiece segment, the ventilation air being admitted
into the aerosol
stream at a location relatively close to the upstream end of the aerosol-
cooling element (that is,
sufficiently close to the susceptor element extending within the rod of
aerosol-generating
substrate, which is the heat source during use), a dramatic cooling of the
aerosol stream is
achieved, which has a favourable impact on the condensation and nucleation of
the aerosol
particles. Accordingly, the overall proportion of the aerosol particulate
phase to the aerosol gas
phase may be enhanced compared with existing, non-ventilated aerosol-
generating articles.
At the same time, keeping the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow
tubular element
relatively low ensures that the overall internal volume of the hollow tubular
element ¨ which is
made available for the aerosol to begin the nucleation process as soon as the
aerosol
components leave the rod of aerosol-generating substrate ¨ and the cross-
sectional surface area
of the hollow tubular segment are effectively maximised, whilst at the same
time ensuring that the
hollow tubular segment has the necessary structural strength to prevent a
collapse of the aerosol-
generating article as well as to provide some support to the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate,
and that the RTD of the hollow tubular segment is minimised. Greater values of
cross-sectional
surface area of the cavity of the hollow tubular segment are understood to be
associated with a
reduced speed of the aerosol stream travelling along the aerosol-generating
article, which is also
expected to favour aerosol nucleation. Further, it would appear that by
utilising a hollow tubular
segment having a relatively low thickness, it is possible to substantially
prevent diffusion of the
ventilation air prior to its contacting and mixing with the stream of aerosol,
which is also
understood to further favour nucleation phenomena. In practice, by providing a
more controllably
localised cooling of the stream of volatilised species, it is possible to
enhance the effect of cooling
on the formation of new aerosol particles.
The aerosol-cooling element preferably has an outer diameter that is
approximately equal
to the outer diameter of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and to the
outer diameter of the
aerosol-generating article.
The aerosol-cooling element may have an outer diameter of between 5
millimetres and
12 millimetres, for example of between 5 millimetres and 10 millimetres or of
between 6
millimetres and 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling
element has an
external diameter of 7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent.
Preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element has an
internal
diameter of at least about 2 millimetres. More preferably, the hollow tubular
segment of the
aerosol-cooling element has an internal diameter of at least about 2.5
millimetres. Even more
preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element has an
internal diameter of
at least about 3 millimetres.
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The hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element preferably has a
wall thickness
of less than about 2.5 millimetres, preferably less than about 1.5
millimetres, more preferably less
than about 1250 micrometres, even more preferably less than about 1000
micrometres. In
particularly preferred embodiments, the hollow tube segment of the aerosol-
cooling element has
a wall thickness of less than about 900 micrometres, preferably less than
about 800 micrometres.
In an embodiment, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element
has a wall
thickness of about 2 millimetres.
Preferably, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least about 5
millimetres, more
preferably at least about 6 millimetres, more preferably at least about 7
millimetres.
In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of less
than about 12
millimetres, more preferably less than about 10 millimetres.
In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length from about 5
millimetres
to about 15 millimetres, preferably from about 6 millimetres to about 15
millimetres, more
preferably from about 7 millimetres to about 15 millimetres. In other
embodiments, the aerosol-
cooling element has a length from about 5 millimetres to about 12 millimetres,
preferably from
about 6 millimetres to about 12 millimetres, more preferably from about 7
millimetres to about 12
millimetres. In further embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length
from about 5
millimetres to about 10 millimetres, preferably from about 6 millimetres to
about 10 millimetres,
more preferably from about 7 millimetres to about 10 millimetres.
In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-cooling
element has a
length of less than 10 millimetres. For example, in one particularly preferred
embodiment, the
aerosol-cooling element has a length of 8 millimetres. In such embodiments,
the aerosol-cooling
element therefore has a relatively short length compared to the aerosol-
cooling elements of prior
art aerosol-generating articles. A reduction in the length of the aerosol-
cooling element is possible
due to the optimised effectiveness of the hollow tubular segment forming the
aerosol-cooling
element in the cooling and nucleation of the aerosol. The reduction of the
length of the aerosol-
cooling element advantageously reduces the risk of deformation of the aerosol-
generating article
due to compression during use, since the aerosol-cooling element typically has
a lower resistance
to deformation than the mouthpiece. Furthermore, the reduction of the length
of the aerosol-
cooling element may provide a cost benefit to the manufacturer since the cost
of a hollow tubular
segment is typically higher per unit length than the cost of other elements
such as a mouthpiece
element.
A ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of
the rod of
aerosol-generating substrate may be from about 0.25 to about 1.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the
length of the
rod of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.3, more preferably at
least about 0.4, even
more preferably at least about 0.5. In preferred embodiments, a ratio between
the length of the
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aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating
substrate is less than
about 0.9, more preferably less than about 0.8, even more preferably less than
about 0.7.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element
and the
length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about
0.9, preferably from
about 0.4 to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.9. In other
embodiments, a
ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the
rod of aerosol-
generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, preferably from about 0.4
to about 0.8, more
preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, a ratio
between the length of the
aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating
substrate is from about
0.3 to about 0.7, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.7, more preferably from
about 0.5 to about
0.7.
In a particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between the length of the
aerosol-cooling
element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about
0.66.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the
overall length
of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.13, more
preferably at least about
0.14, even more preferably at least about 0.15. A ratio between the length of
the aerosol-cooling
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably less than
about 0.3, more preferably less than about 0.25, even more preferably less
than about 0.20.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element
and the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.13 to about
0.3, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.3, even more preferably from
about 0.15 to about
0.3. In other embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling
element and the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.13 to about
0.25, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.25, even more preferably from
about 0.15 to
about 0.25. In further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-
cooling element
and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably from about 0.13 to
about 0.2, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.2, even more preferably
from about 0.15
to about 0.2.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ratio between the length of the
aerosol-cooling
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
about 0.18.
Preferably, the length of the mouthpiece element is at least 1 millimetre
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 2 millimetres
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 3 millimetres
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element. A reduction in the length of the
aerosol-cooling element,
as described above, can advantageously allow for an increase in the length of
other elements of
the aerosol-generating article, such as the mouthpiece element. The potential
technical benefits
of providing a relatively long mouthpiece element are described above.
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A ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of
the rod of
aerosol-generating substrate may be from about 0.25 to about 1.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the
length of the
rod of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.3, more preferably at
least about 0.4, even
more preferably at least about 0.5. In preferred embodiments, a ratio between
the length of the
aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating
substrate is less than
about 0.9, more preferably less than about 0.8, even more preferably less than
about 07.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element
and the
length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about
0.9, preferably from
about 0.4 to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.9. In other
embodiments, a
ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the
rod of aerosol-
generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, preferably from about 0.4
to about 0.8, more
preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, a ratio
between the length of the
aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating
substrate is from about
0.3 to about 0.7, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.7, more preferably from
about 0.5 to about
0.7.
In a particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between the length of the
aerosol-cooling
element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about
0.66.
A ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall
length of the
aerosol-generating article substrate may be from about 0.125 to about 0.375.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the
overall length
of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.13, more
preferably at least about
0.14, even more preferably at least about 0.15. A ratio between the length of
the aerosol-cooling
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably less than
about 0.3, more preferably less than about 0.25, even more preferably less
than about 0.20.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element
and the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.13 to about
0.3, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.3, even more preferably from
about 0.15 to about
0.3. In other embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling
element and the
overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from
about 0.13 to about
0.25, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.25, even more preferably from
about 0.15 to
about 0.25. In further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the aerosol-
cooling element
and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably from about 0.13 to
about 0.2, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.2, even more preferably
from about 0.15
to about 0.2.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ratio between the length of the
aerosol-cooling
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
about 0.18.
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Preferably, the length of the mouthpiece element is at least 1 millimetre
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 2 millimetres
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 3 millimetres
greater than the
length of the aerosol-cooling element. A reduction in the length of the
aerosol-cooling element,
as described above, can advantageously allow for an increase in the length of
other elements of
the aerosol-generating article, such as the mouthpiece element. The potential
technical benefits
of providing a relatively long mouthpiece element are described above.
Preferably, in aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present
invention the
aerosol-cooling element has an average radial hardness of at least about 80
percent, more
preferably at least about 85 percent, even more preferably at least about 90
percent. The aerosol-
cooling element is therefore able to provide a desirable level of hardness to
the aerosol-
generating article.
If desired, the radial hardness of the aerosol-cooling element of aerosol-
generating
articles in accordance with the invention may be further increased by
circumscribing the aerosol-
cooling element by a stiff plug wrap, for example, a plug wrap having a basis
weight of at least
about 80 grams per square metre (gsm), or at least about 100 gsm, or at least
about 110 gsm.
As used herein, the term "radial hardness" of an element refers to resistance
to
compression in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the element.
Radial hardness of
an aerosol-generating article around an element may be determined by applying
a load across
the article at the location of the element, transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the article, and
measuring the average (mean) depressed diameters of the articles. Radial
hardness is given by:
hardness (%) = d * 100 %
Radial
where Ds is the original (undepressed) diameter, and Dd is the depressed
diameter after
applying a set load for a set duration. The harder the material, the closer
the hardness is to 100
percent.
To determine the hardness of a portion (such as an aerosol-cooling element
provided in
the form of a hollow tube segment) of an aerosol article, aerosol-generating
articles should be
aligned parallel in a plane and the same portion of each aerosol-generating
article to be tested
should be subjected to a set load for a set duration. This test is performed
using a known DD60A
Densimeter device (manufactured and made commercially available by Heinr
Borgwaldt GmbH,
Germany), which is fitted with a measuring head for aerosol-generating
articles, such as
cigarettes, and with an aerosol-generating article receptacle.
The load is applied using two load-applying cylindrical rods, which extend
across the
diameter of all of the aerosol-generating articles at once. According to the
standard test method
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for this instrument, the test should be performed such that twenty contact
points occur between
the aerosol-generating articles and the load applying cylindrical rods. In
some cases, the hollow
tube segments to be tested may be long enough such that only ten aerosol-
generating articles
are needed to form twenty contact points, with each smoking article contacting
both load applying
rods (because they are long enough to extend between the rods). In other
cases, if the support
elements are too short to achieve this, then twenty aerosol-generating
articles should be used to
form the twenty contact points, with each aerosol-generating article
contacting only one of the
load applying rods, as further discussed below.
Two further stationary cylindrical rods are located underneath the aerosol-
generating
articles, to support the aerosol-generating articles and counteract the load
applied by each of the
load applying cylindrical rods.
For the standard operating procedure for such an apparatus, an overall load of
2 kg is
applied for a duration of 20 seconds. After 20 seconds have elapsed (and with
the load still being
applied to the smoking articles), the depression in the load applying
cylindrical rods is determined,
and then used to calculate the hardness from the above equation. The
temperature is kept in the
region of 22 degrees Celsius 2 degrees. The test described above is referred
to as the DD60A
Test. The standard way to measure the filter hardness is when the aerosol-
generating article
have not been consumed. Additional information regarding measurement of
average radial
hardness can be found in, for example, U.S. Published Patent Application
Publication Number
2016/0128378.
The aerosol-cooling element may be formed from any suitable material or
combination of
materials. For example, the aerosol-cooling element may be formed from one or
more materials
selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate; cardboard; crimped
paper, such as
crimped heat resistant paper or crimped parchment paper; and polymeric
materials, such as low
density polyethylene (LDPE). Other suitable materials include
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
fibres.
In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element is formed from
cellulose acetate.
Preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element is
adapted to
generate a RTD between approximately 0 millimetres H20 (about 0 Pa) to
approximately 20
millimetres H20 (about 100 Pa), more preferably between approximately 0
millimetres H20 (about
0 Pa) to approximately 10 millimetres H2O (about 100 Pa).
In aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention the
overall RTD of
the article depends essentially on the RTD of the rod and optionally on the
RTD of the mouthpiece
and/or upstream plug. This is because the hollow tubular segment of the
aerosol-cooling element
and the hollow tubular segment of the support element, where present, are
substantially empty
and, as such, substantially only marginally contribute to the overall RTD of
the aerosol-generating
article.
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The ventilation zone comprises a plurality of perforations through the
peripheral wall of
the aerosol-cooling element.
Preferably, the ventilation zone comprises at least one
circumferential row of perforations. In some embodiments, the ventilation zone
may comprise
two circumferential rows of perforations. For example, the perforations may be
formed online
during manufacturing of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, each
circumferential row of
perforations comprises from 8 to 30 perforations.
An aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention may
have a
ventilation level of at least about 5 percent.
The term "ventilation level" is used throughout the present specification to
denote a volume
ratio between of the airflow admitted into the aerosol-generating article via
the ventilation zone
(ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation
airflow. The greater the
ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to
the consumer.
The aerosol-generating article may typically have a ventilation level of at
least about 10
percent, preferably at least about 15 percent, more preferably at least about
20 percent.
In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation
level of at least
about 25 percent. The aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation
level of less than
about 60 percent. An aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present
invention
preferably has a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 45 percent.
More preferably, an
aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention has a
ventilation level of less
than or equal to about 40 percent, even more preferably less than or equal to
about 35 percent.
In a particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a
ventilation
level of about 30 percent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article
has a ventilation
level from about 20 percent to about 60 percent, preferably from about 20
percent to about 45
percent, more preferably from about 20 percent to about 40 percent. In other
embodiments, the
aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level from about 25 percent to
about 60 percent,
preferably from about 25 percent to about 45 percent, more preferably from
about 25 percent to
about 40 percent. In further embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a
ventilation level
from about 30 percent to about 60 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to
about 45 percent,
more preferably from about 30 percent to about 40 percent.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a
ventilation level
from about 28 percent to about 42 percent. In some particularly preferred
embodiments, the
aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of about 30 percent.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have found that the
temperature drop
caused by the admission of cooler, external air into the hollow tubular
segment via the ventilation
zone may have an advantageous effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol
particles.
Formation of an aerosol from a gaseous mixture containing various chemical
species
depends on a delicate interplay between nucleation, evaporation, and
condensation, as well as
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coalescence, all the while accounting for variations in vapour concentration,
temperature, and
velocity fields. The so-called classical nucleation theory is based on the
assumption that a fraction
of the molecules in the gas phase are large enough to stay coherent for long
times with sufficient
probability (for example, a probability of one half). These molecules
represent some kind of a
critical, threshold molecule clusters among transient molecular aggregates,
meaning that, on
average, smaller molecule clusters are likely to disintegrate rather quickly
into the gas phase,
while larger clusters are, on average, likely to grow. Such critical cluster
is identified as the key
nucleation core from which droplets are expected to grow due to condensation
of molecules from
the vapour. It is assumed that virgin droplets that just nucleated emerge with
a certain original
diameter, and then may grow by several orders of magnitude. This is
facilitated and may be
enhanced by rapid cooling of the surrounding vapour, which induces
condensation. In this
connection, it helps to bear in mind that evaporation and condensation are two
sides of one same
mechanism, namely gas¨liquid mass transfer. While evaporation relates to net
mass transfer
from the liquid droplets to the gas phase, condensation is net mass transfer
from the gas phase
to the droplet phase. Evaporation (or condensation) will make the droplets
shrink (or grow), but
it will not change the number of droplets.
In this scenario, which may be further complicated by coalescence phenomena,
the
temperature and rate of cooling can play a critical role in determining how
the system responds.
In general, different cooling rates may lead to significantly different
temporal behaviours as
concerns the formation of the liquid phase (droplets), because the nucleation
process is typically
nonlinear. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that
cooling can cause a
rapid increase in the number concentration of droplets, which is followed by a
strong, short-lived
increase in this growth (nucleation burst). This nucleation burst would appear
to be more
significant at lower temperatures. Further, it would appear that higher
cooling rates may favour
an earlier onset of nucleation. By contrast, a reduction of the cooling rate
would appear to have
a favourable effect on the final size that the aerosol droplets ultimately
reach.
Therefore, the rapid cooling induced by the admission of external air into the
hollow tubular
segment via the ventilation zone can be favourably used to favour nucleation
and growth of
aerosol droplets. However, at the same time, the admission of external air
into the hollow tubular
segment has the immediate drawback of diluting the aerosol stream delivered to
the consumer.
The inventors have surprisingly found that the diluting effect on the aerosol
¨ which can
be assessed by measuring, in particular, the effect on the delivery of aerosol
former (such as
glycerol) included in the aerosol-generating substrate) is advantageously
minimised when the
ventilation level is within the ranges described above. In particular,
ventilation levels between 25
percent and 50 percent, and even more preferably between 28 and 42 percent,
have been found
to lead to particularly satisfactory values of glycerin delivery. At the same
time, the extent of
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nucleation and, as a consequence, the delivery of nicotine and aerosol-former
(for example,
glycerol) are enhanced.
The inventors have surprisingly found how the favourable effect of enhanced
nucleation
promoted by the rapid cooling induced by the introduction of ventilation air
into the article is
capable of significantly countering the less desirable effects of dilution. As
such, satisfactory
values of aerosol delivery are consistently achieved with aerosol-generating
articles in
accordance with the invention.
This is particularly advantageous with "short" aerosol-generating articles,
such as ones
wherein a length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is less than about
40 millimetres,
preferably less than 25 millimetres, even more preferably less than 20
millimetres, or wherein an
overall length of the aerosol-generating article is less than about 70
millimetres, preferably less
than about 60 millimetres, even more preferably less than 50 millimetres. As
will be appreciated,
in such aerosol-generating articles, there is little time and space for the
aerosol to form and for
the particulate phase of the aerosol to become available for delivery to the
consumer.
Further, because the ventilated hollow tubular segment substantially does not
contribute
to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article, in aerosol-generating
articles in accordance
with the invention the overall RTD of the article can advantageously be fine-
tuned by adjusting
the length and density of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate or the
length and optionally the
length and density of a segment of filtration material forming part of the
mouthpiece or the length
and density of a segment of filtration material provided upstream of the
aerosol-generating
substrate and the susceptor element. Thus, aerosol-generating articles that
have a
predetermined RTD can be manufactured consistently and with great precision,
such that
satisfactory levels of RTD can be provided for the consumer even in the
presence of ventilation.
Alternatively or in addition to an aerosol-cooling element comprising a hollow
tubular
segment, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an additional cooling
element defining a
plurality of longitudinally extending channels such as to make a high surface
area available for
heat exchange. In other words, one such additional cooling element is adapted
to function
substantially as a heat exchanger. The plurality of longitudinally extending
channels may be
defined by a sheet material that has been pleated, gathered or folded to form
the channels. The
plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a single
sheet that has been
pleated, gathered or folded to form multiple channels. The sheet may also have
been crimped
prior to being pleated, gathered or folded. Alternatively, the plurality of
longitudinally extending
channels may be defined by multiple sheets that have been crimped, pleated,
gathered or folded
to form multiple channels. In some embodiments, the plurality of
longitudinally extending
channels may be defined by multiple sheets that have been crimped, pleated,
gathered or folded
together ¨ that is by two or more sheets that have been brought into overlying
arrangement and
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then crimped, pleated, gathered or folded as one. As used herein, the term
'sheet' denotes a
laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the
thickness thereof.
As used herein, the term 'longitudinal direction' refers to a direction
extending along, or
parallel to, the cylindrical axis of a rod. As used herein, the term 'crimped'
denotes a sheet having
a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, when
the aerosol-generating
article has been assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations
extend in a
longitudinal direction with respect to the rod. As used herein, the terms
'gathered', 'pleated', or
'folded' denote that a sheet of material is convoluted, folded, or otherwise
compressed or
constricted substantially transversely to the cylindrical axis of the rod. A
sheet may be crimped
prior to being gathered, pleated or folded. A sheet may be gathered, pleated
or folded without
prior crimping.
One such additional cooling element may have a total surface area of between
about 300
square millimetre per millimetre length and about 1000 square millimetres per
millimetre length.
The additional cooling element preferably offers a low resistance to the
passage of air
through additional cooling element. Preferably, the additional cooling
element does not
substantially affect the resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article.
To achieve this, it is
preferred that the porosity in a longitudinal direction is greater than 50
percent and that the airflow
path through the additional cooling element is relatively uninhibited. The
longitudinal porosity of
the additional cooling element may be defined by a ratio of the cross-
sectional area of material
forming the additional cooling element and an internal cross-sectional area of
the aerosol-
generating article at the portion containing the additional cooling element.
The additional cooling element preferably comprises a sheet material selected
from the
group comprising a metallic foil, a polymeric sheet, and a substantially non-
porous paper or
cardboard. In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may comprise a
sheet material
selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
polyvinylchloride
(PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose
acetate (CA), and
aluminium foil. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the additional cooling
element comprises
a sheet of PLA.
As described above, the intermediate hollow section preferably further
comprises a support
element arranged in alignment with, and downstream of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate.
In particular, the support element may be located immediately downstream of
the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate and may abut the rod of aerosol-generating substrate.
The support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of
materials.
For example, the support element may be formed from one or more materials
selected from the
group consisting of: cellulose acetate; cardboard; crimped paper, such as
crimped heat resistant
paper or crimped parchment paper; and polymeric materials, such as low density
polyethylene
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(LDPE). In a preferred embodiment, the support element is formed from
cellulose acetate. Other
suitable materials include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibres.
The support element may comprise a hollow tubular segment. In a preferred
embodiment,
the support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tube.
The support element is preferably arranged substantially in alignment with the
rod. This
means that the length dimension of the support element is arranged to be
approximately parallel
to the longitudinal direction of the rod and of the article, for example
within plus or minus 10
degrees of parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod. In preferred
embodiments, the support
element extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod.
The support element preferably has an outer diameter that is approximately
equal to the
outer diameter of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and to the outer
diameter of the aerosol-
generating article.
The support element may have an outer diameter of between 5 millimetres and 12
millimetres, for example of between 5 millimetres and 10 millimetres or of
between 6 millimetres
and 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has an
external diameter of
7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent.
A peripheral wall of the support element may have a thickness of at least 1
millimetre,
preferably at least about 1.5 millimetres, more preferably at least about 2
millimetres.
The support element may have a length of between about 5 millimetres and about
15
millimetres.
Preferably, the support element has a length of at least about 6 millimetres,
more
preferably at least about 7 millimetres.
In preferred embodiments, the support element has a length of less than about
12
millimetres, more preferably less than about 10 millimetres.
In some embodiments, the support element has a length from about 5 millimetres
to about
15 millimetres, preferably from about 6 millimetres to about 15 millimetres,
more preferably from
about 7 millimetres to about 15 millimetres. In other embodiments, the support
element has a
length from about 5 millimetres to about 12 millimetres, preferably from about
6 millimetres to
about 12 millimetres, more preferably from about 7 millimetres to about 12
millimetres. In further
embodiments, the support element has a length from about 5 millimetres to
about 10 millimetres,
preferably from about 6 millimetres to about 10 millimetres, more preferably
from about 7
millimetres to about 10 millimetres.
In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of about 8
millimetres.
Preferably, the intermediate hollow section has a total length of no more than
about 18
millimetres, more preferably no more than about 17 millimetres, more
preferably no more than 16
millimetres.
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A ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the rod of
aerosol-
generating substrate may be from about 0.25 to about 1.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the support element and the length
of the rod of
aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.3, more preferably at least
about 0.4, even more
preferably at least about 0.5. In preferred embodiments, a ratio between the
length of the support
element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is less than
about 0.9, more
preferably less than about 0.8, even more preferably less than about 0.7.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the support element and the
length of
the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.9,
preferably from about 0.4
to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.9. In other
embodiments, a ratio between
the length of the support element and the length of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate is from
about 0.3 to about 0.8, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.8, more
preferably from about 0.5 to
about 0.8. In further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the support
element and the
length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about
0.7, preferably from
about 0.4 to about 0.7, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.7.
In a particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between the length of the
support element
and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about 0.66.
A ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of
the aerosol-
generating article substrate may be from about 0.125 to about 0.375.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the support element and the overall
length of the
aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.13, more preferably
at least about 0.14,
even more preferably at least about 0.15. A ratio between the length of the
support element and
the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably
less than about 0.3,
more preferably less than about 0.25, even more preferably less than about
0.20.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the support element and the
overall
length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about
0.13 to about 0.3, more
preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.3, even more preferably from about 0.15
to about 0.3. In
other embodiments, a ratio between the length of the support element and the
overall length of
the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to
about 0.25, more
preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.25, even more preferably from about 0.15
to about 0.25. In
further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the support element and the
overall length of
the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to
about 0.2, more
preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.2, even more preferably from about 0.15
to about 0.2.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ratio between the length of the
support element
and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is about
0.18.
Preferably, in aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present
invention the
support element has an average radial hardness of at least about 80 percent,
more preferably at
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least about 85 percent, even more preferably at least about 90 percent. The
support element is
therefore able to provide a desirable level of hardness to the aerosol-
generating article.
If desired, the radial hardness of the support element of aerosol-generating
articles in
accordance with the invention may be further increased by circumscribing the
support element by
a stiff plug wrap, for example, a plug wrap having a basis weight of at least
about 80 grams per
square metre (gsm), or at least about 100 gsm, or at least about 110 gsm.
During insertion of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the
invention into an
aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating substrate, a user
may be required
to apply some force in order to overcome the resistance of the aerosol-
generating substrate of
the aerosol-generating article to insertion. This may damage one or both of
the aerosol-
generating article and the aerosol-generating device. In addition, the
application of force during
insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the aerosol-generating device
may displace the
aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol-generating article. This may
result in the heating
element of the aerosol-generating device not being properly aligned with the
susceptor element
provided within the aerosol-generating substrate, which may lead to uneven and
inefficient
heating of the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article.
The support
element is advantageously configured to resist downstream movement of the
aerosol-generating
substrate during insertion of the article into the aerosol-generating device.
Preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the support element is adapted to
generate a RTD
between approximately 0 millimetres H20 (about 0 Pa) to approximately 20
millimetres H20 (about
100 Pa), more preferably between approximately 0 millimetres H20 (about 0 Pa)
to approximately
10 millimetres H20 (about 100 Pa). The support element therefore preferably
does not contribute
to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article.
In some embodiments wherein the intermediate hollow section comprises both a
support
element comprising a first hollow tube segment and an aerosol-cooling element
comprising a
second hollow tubular segment, the internal diameter (Ds-Fs) of the second
hollow tubular segment
is preferably greater than the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow
tubular segment.
In more detail, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of the second
hollow tubular
segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular segment
is preferably at least
about 1.25. More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of
the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is preferably
at least about 1.3. Even more preferably, a ratio between the internal
diameter (DsTs) of the
second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first
hollow tubular segment
is preferably at least about 1.4. In particularly preferred embodiments, a
ratio between the internal
diameter (DsTs) of the second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter
(DFTs) of the first
hollow tubular segment is at least about 1.5, more preferably at least about 1
.6.
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A ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of the second hollow tubular
segment and
the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular segment is preferably
less than or equal to
about 2.5. More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of
the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is preferably
less than or equal to about 2.25. Even more preferably, ratio between the
internal diameter (DsTs)
of the second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the
first hollow tubular
segment is preferably less than or equal to about 2.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of the
second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.25 to about 2.5. Preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of
the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.3 to about 2.5. More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter
(DsTs) of the second
hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow
tubular segment is from
about 1.4 to about 2.5. In particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between
the internal
diameter (DsTs) of the second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter
(DFTs) of the first
hollow tubular segment is from about 1.5 to about 2.5.
In other embodiments, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of the
second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.25 to about 2.25. Preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs)
of the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.3 to about 2.25. More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter
(DsTs) of the second
hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow
tubular segment is from
about 1.4 to about 2.25. In particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio
between the internal
diameter (DsTs) of the second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter
(DFTs) of the first
hollow tubular segment is from about 1.5 to about 2.25.
In further embodiments, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of the
second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.25 to about 2. Preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs) of
the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.3 to about 2. More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DsTs)
of the second hollow
tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular
segment is from about
1.4 to about 2. In particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio between the
internal diameter (DsTs)
of the second hollow tubular segment and the internal diameter (DFTs) of the
first hollow tubular
segment is from about 1.5 to about 2.
In those embodiments wherein the article further comprises an elongate
susceptor
element arranged longitudinally within the aerosol-generating substrate, as
described below, a
ratio between the internal diameter (DFTs) of the first hollow tubular segment
and a width of the
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susceptor element is preferably at least about 0.2. More preferably, a ratio
between the internal
diameter (DF-rS) of the first hollow tubular segment and a width of the
susceptor element is at least
about 0.3. Even more preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (DF-rs)
of the first hollow
tubular segment and a width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.4.
In addition, or as an alternative, a ratio between the internal diameter (Ds-
rs) of the second
hollow tubular segment and a width of the susceptor element is preferably at
least about 0.2.
More preferably, a ratio between the internal diameter (Ds-rs) of the second
hollow tubular
segment and a width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.5. Even more
preferably, a ratio
between the internal diameter (Ds-rs) of the second hollow tubular segment and
a width of the
susceptor element is at least about 0.8.
Preferably, a ratio between a volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular
segment and
a volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular segment is at least about
0.1. More preferably,
a ratio between a volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular segment and
a volume of the
cavity of second hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.2. Even more
preferably, a ratio
between a volume of the cavity of first hollow tubular segment and a volume of
the cavity of
second hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.3.
A ratio between a volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular segment and
a volume of
the cavity of the second hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or
equal to about 0.9.
More preferably, a ratio between a volume of the cavity of the first hollow
tubular segment and a
volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular segment is preferably less
than or equal to about
0.7. Even more preferably, a ratio between a volume of the cavity of the first
hollow tubular
segment and a volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular segment is
preferably less than
or equal to about 0.5.
As defined above, the aerosol-generating article of the present invention
comprises a rod
of an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be a
solid aerosol-
generating substrate.
In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises
homogenised plant material, preferably a homogenised tobacco material.
As used herein, the term "homogenised plant material" encompasses any plant
material
formed by the agglomeration of particles of plant. For example, sheets or webs
of homogenised
tobacco material for the aerosol-generating substrates of the present
invention may be formed by
agglomerating particles of tobacco material obtained by pulverising, grinding
or comminuting plant
material and optionally one or more of tobacco leaf lamina and tobacco leaf
stems. The
homogenised plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making
processes or
other any other suitable processes known in the art.
The homogenised plant material can be provided in any suitable form. For
example, the
homogenised plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets. As used
herein with
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reference to the invention, the term "sheet" describes a laminar element
having a width and length
substantially greater than the thickness thereof.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may be in the
form of a plurality
of pellets or granules.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may be in the
form of a plurality
of strands, strips or shreds. As used herein, the term "strand" describes an
elongate element of
material having a length that is substantially greater than the width and
thickness thereof. The
term "strand" should be considered to encompass strips, shreds and any other
homogenised plant
material having a similar form. The strands of homogenised plant material may
be formed from
a sheet of homogenised plant material, for example by cutting or shredding, or
by other methods,
for example, by an extrusion method.
In some embodiments, the strands may be formed in situ within the aerosol-
generating
substrate as a result of the splitting or cracking of a sheet of homogenised
plant material during
formation of the aerosol-generating substrate, for example, as a result of
crimping. The strands
of homogenised plant material within the aerosol-generating substrate may be
separate from
each other. Alternatively, each strand of homogenised plant material within
the aerosol-
generating substrate may be at least partially connected to an adjacent strand
or strands along
the length of the strands. For example, adjacent strands may be connected by
one or more fibres.
This may occur, for example, where the strands have been formed due to the
splitting of a sheet
of homogenised plant material during production of the aerosol-generating
substrate, as
described above.
Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of one or more
sheets of
homogenised plant material. In various embodiments of the invention, the one
or more sheets of
homogenised plant material may be produced by a casting process. In various
embodiments of
the invention, the one or more sheets of homogenised plant material may be
produced by a paper-
making process. The one or more sheets as described herein may each
individually have a
thickness of between 100 micrometres and 600 micrometres, preferably between
150
micrometres and 300 micrometres, and most preferably between 200 micrometres
and 250
micrometres. Individual thickness refers to the thickness of the individual
sheet, whereas
combined thickness refers to the total thickness of all sheets that make up
the aerosol-generating
substrate. For example, if the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from two
individual sheets,
then the combined thickness is the sum of the thickness of the two individual
sheets or the
measured thickness of the two sheets where the two sheets are stacked in the
aerosol-generating
substrate.
The one or more sheets as described herein may each individually have a
grammage of
between about 100 g/m2 and about 300 g/m2.
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The one or more sheets as described herein may each individually have a
density of from
about 0.3 g/cm3to about 1.3 g/cm3, and preferably from about 0.7 g/cm3 to
about 1.0 g/cm3.
In embodiments of the present invention in which the aerosol-generating
substrate
comprises one or more sheets of homogenised plant material, the sheets are
preferably in the
form of one or more gathered sheets. As used herein, the term "gathered"
denotes that the sheet
of homogenised plant material is convoluted, folded, or otherwise compressed
or constricted
substantially transversely to the cylindrical axis of a plug or a rod.
The one or more sheets of homogenised plant material may be gathered
transversely
relative to the longitudinal axis thereof and circumscribed with a wrapper to
form a continuous rod
or a plug.
The one or more sheets of homogenised plant material may advantageously be
crimped
or similarly treated. As used herein, the term "crimped" denotes a sheet
having a plurality of
substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Alternatively or in addition to
being crimped, the one
or more sheets of homogenised plant material may be embossed, debossed,
perforated or
otherwise deformed to provide texture on one or both sides of the sheet.
Preferably, each sheet of homogenised plant material may be crimped such that
it has a
plurality of ridges or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical
axis of the plug. This
treatment advantageously facilitates gathering of the crimped sheet of
homogenised plant
material to form the plug. Preferably, the one or more sheets of homogenised
plant material may
be gathered. It will be appreciated that crimped sheets of homogenised plant
material may
alternatively or in addition have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges
or corrugations disposed
at an acute or obtuse angle to the cylindrical axis of the plug. The sheet may
be crimped to such
an extent that the integrity of the sheet becomes disrupted at the plurality
of parallel ridges or
corrugations causing separation of the material, and results in the formation
of shreds, strands or
strips of homogenised plant material.
Alternatively, the one or more sheets of homogenised plant material may be cut
into strands
as referred to above. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate
comprises a
plurality of strands of the homogenised plant material. The strands may be
used to form a plug.
Typically, the width of such strands is about 5 millimetres, or about 4
millimetres, or about 3
millimetres, or about 2 millimetres or less. The length of the strands may be
greater than about
5 millimetres, between about 5 millimetres to about 15 millimetres, about 8
millimetres to about
12 millimetres, or about 12 millimetres. Preferably, the strands have
substantially the same length
as each other. The length of the strands may be determined by the
manufacturing process
whereby a rod is cut into shorter plugs and the length of the strands
corresponds to the length of
the plug. The strands may be fragile which may result in breakage especially
during transit. In
such cases, the length of some of the strands may be less than the length of
the plug.
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The plurality of strands preferably extend substantially longitudinally along
the length of the
aerosol-generating substrate, aligned with the longitudinal axis. Preferably,
the plurality of
strands are therefore aligned substantially parallel to each other.
The homogenised plant material may comprise up to about 95 percent by weight
of plant
particles, on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the homogenised plant material
comprises up to
about 90 percent by weight of plant particles, more preferably up to about 80
percent by weight
of plant particles, more preferably up to about 70 percent by weight of plant
particles, more
preferably up to about 60 percent by weight of plant particles, more
preferably up to about 50
percent by weight of plant particles, on a dry weight basis.
For example, the homogenised plant material may comprise between about 2.5
percent
and about 95 percent by weight of plant particles, or about 5 percent and
about 90 percent by
weight of plant particles, or between about 10 percent and about 80 percent by
weight of plant
particles, or between about 15 percent and about 70 percent by weight of plant
particles, or
between about 20 percent and about 60 percent by weight of plant particles, or
between about
30 percent and about 50 percent by weight of plant particles, on a dry weight
basis.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the homogenised plant material is a
homogenised tobacco material comprising tobacco particles. Sheets of
homogenised tobacco
material for use in such embodiments of the invention may have a tobacco
content of at least
about 40 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably of at least
about 50 percent by
weight on a dry weight basis more preferably at least about 70 percent by
weight on a dry weight
basis and most preferably at least about 90 percent by weight on a dry weight
basis.
With reference to the present invention, the term "tobacco particles"
describes particles of
any plant member of the genus Nicotiana. The term "tobacco particles"
encompasses ground or
powdered tobacco leaf lamina, ground or powdered tobacco leaf stems, tobacco
dust, tobacco
fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during the treating,
handling and shipping
of tobacco. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco particles are substantially
all derived from
tobacco leaf lamina. By contrast, isolated nicotine and nicotine salts are
compounds derived from
tobacco but are not considered tobacco particles for purposes of the invention
and are not
included in the percentage of particulate plant material.
The tobacco particles may be prepared from one or more varieties of tobacco
plants. Any
type of tobacco may be used in a blend. Examples of tobacco types that may be
used include,
but are not limited to, sun-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco,
Maryland tobacco,
Oriental tobacco, Virginia tobacco, and other speciality tobaccos.
Flue-curing is a method of curing tobacco, which is particularly used with
Virginia tobaccos.
During the flue-curing process, heated air is circulated through densely
packed tobacco. During
a first stage, the tobacco leaves turn yellow and wilt. During a second stage,
the laminae of the
leaves are completely dried. During a third stage, the leaf stems are
completely dried.
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Burley tobacco plays a significant role in many tobacco blends. Burley tobacco
has a
distinctive flavour and aroma and also has an ability to absorb large amounts
of casing.
Oriental is a type of tobacco which has small leaves, and high aromatic
qualities. However,
Oriental tobacco has a milder flavour than, for example, Burley. Generally,
therefore, Oriental
tobacco is used in relatively small proportions in tobacco blends.
Kasturi, Madura and Jatim are subtypes of sun-cured tobacco that can be used.
Preferably,
Kasturi tobacco and flue-cured tobacco may be used in a blend to produce the
tobacco particles.
Accordingly, the tobacco particles in the particulate plant material may
comprise a blend of Kasturi
tobacco and flue-cured tobacco.
The tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 2.5
percent by weight,
based on dry weight. More preferably, the tobacco particles may have a
nicotine content of at
least about 3 percent, even more preferably at least about 3.2 percent, even
more preferably at
least about 3.5 percent, most preferably at least about 4 percent by weight,
based on dry weight.
In certain other embodiments of the invention, the homogenised plant material
comprises
tobacco particles in combination with non-tobacco plant flavour particles.
Preferably, the non-
tobacco plant flavour particles are selected from one or more of: ginger
particles, rosemary
particles, eucalyptus particles, clove particles and star anise particles.
Preferably, in such
embodiments, the homogenised plant material comprises at least about 2.5
percent by weight of
the non-tobacco plant flavour particles, on a dry weight basis, with the
remainder of the plant
particles being tobacco particles. Preferably, the homogenised plant material
comprises at least
about 4 percent by weight of non-tobacco plant flavour particles, more
preferably at least about 6
percent by weight of non-tobacco plant flavour particles, more preferably at
least about 8 percent
by weight of non-tobacco plant flavour particles and more preferably at least
about 10 percent by
weight of non-tobacco plant flavour particles, on a dry weight basis.
Preferably, the homogenised
plant material comprises up to about 20 percent by weight of non-tobacco plant
flavour particles,
more preferably up to about 18 percent by weight of non-tobacco plant flavour
particles, more
preferably up to about 16 percent by weight of non-tobacco plant flavour
particles.
The weight ratio of the non-tobacco plant flavour particles and the tobacco
particles in the
particulate plant material forming the homogenised plant material may vary
depending on the
desired flavour characteristics and composition of the aerosol produced from
the aerosol-
generating substrate during use. Preferably, the homogenised plant material
comprises at least
a 1:30 weight ratio of non-tobacco plant flavour particles to tobacco
particles, more preferably at
least a 1:20 weight ratio of non-tobacco plant flavour particles to tobacco
particles, more
preferably at least a 1:10 weight ratio of non-tobacco plant flavour particles
to tobacco particles
and most preferably at least al :5 weight ratio of non-tobacco plant flavour
particles to tobacco
particles, on a dry weight basis.
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Alternatively or in addition to the inclusion of tobacco particles into the
homogenised plant
material of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the invention, the
homogenised plant
material may comprise cannabis particles. The term "cannabis particles" refers
to particles of a
cannabis plant, such as the species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and
Cannabis ruderalis.
The homogenised plant material preferably comprises no more than 95 percent by
weight
of the particulate plant material, on a dry weight basis. The particulate
plant material is therefore
typically combined with one or more other components to form the homogenised
plant material.
The homogenised plant material may further comprise a binder to alter the
mechanical
properties of the particulate plant material, wherein the binder is included
in the homogenised
plant material during manufacturing as described herein. Suitable exogenous
binders would be
known to the skilled person and include but are not limited to: gums such as,
for example, guar
gum, xanthan gum, arabic gum and locust bean gum; cellulosic binders such as,
for example,
hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
methyl cellulose and
ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides such as, for example, starches, organic
acids, such as alginic
acid, conjugate base salts of organic acids, such as sodium-alginate, agar and
pectins; and
combinations thereof. Preferably, the binder comprises guar gum.
The binder may be present in an amount of from about 1 percent to about 10
percent by
weight, based on the dry weight of the homogenised plant material, preferably
in an amount of
from about 2 percent to about 5 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of
the homogenised
plant material.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may further
comprise one or
more lipids to facilitate the diffusivity of volatile components (for example,
aerosol formers,
gingerols and nicotine), wherein the lipid is included in the homogenised
plant material during
manufacturing as described herein. Suitable lipids for inclusion in the
homogenised plant material
include, but are not limited to: medium-chain triglycerides, cocoa butter,
palm oil, palm kernel oil,
mango oil, shea butter, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, hydrogenated
coconut oil,
candellila wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, sunflower oil, rice
bran, and Revel A; and
combinations thereof.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may further
comprise a pH
modifier.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may further
comprise fibres to
alter the mechanical properties of the homogenised plant material, wherein the
fibres are included
in the homogenised plant material during manufacturing as described herein.
Suitable exogenous
fibres for inclusion in the homogenised plant material are known in the art
and include fibres
formed from non-tobacco material and non- ginger material, including but not
limited to: cellulose
fibres; soft-wood fibres; hard-wood fibres; jute fibres and combinations
thereof. Exogenous fibres
derived from tobacco and/or ginger can also be added. Any fibres added to the
homogenised
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plant material are not considered to form part of the "particulate plant
material" as defined above.
Prior to inclusion in the homogenised plant material, fibres may be treated by
suitable processes
known in the art including, but not limited to: mechanical pulping; refining;
chemical pulping;
bleaching; sulfate pulping; and combinations thereof. A fibre typically has a
length greater than
its width.
Suitable fibres typically have lengths of greater than 400 micrometres and
less than or equal
to 4 millimetres, preferably within the range of 0.7 millimetres to 4
millimetres. Preferably, the
fibres are present in an amount of about 2 percent to about 15 percent by
weight, most preferably
at about 4 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the substrate.
Alternatively or in addition, the homogenised plant material may further
comprise one or
more aerosol formers. Upon volatilisation, an aerosol former can convey other
vaporised
compounds released from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, such as
nicotine and
flavourants, in an aerosol. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in the
homogenised plant
material are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric
alcohols, such as
triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of
polyhydric alcohols,
such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-
or polycarboxylic acids,
such as di methyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
The homogenised plant material may have an aerosol former content of between
about 5
percent and about 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, such as between
about 10 percent
and about 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or between about 15
percent and about
20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.
For example, if the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating
article for an
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system having a heating element, it
may preferably
include an aerosol former content of between about 5 percent to about 30
percent by weight on
a dry weight basis. If the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-
generating article for an
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system having a heating element, the
aerosol former is
preferably glycerol.
In other embodiments, the homogenised plant material may have an aerosol
former content
of about 1 percent to about 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. For
example, if the
substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating article in which
aerosol former is kept in a
reservoir separate from the substrate, the substrate may have an aerosol
former content of
greater than 1 percent and less than about 5 percent. In such embodiments, the
aerosol former
is volatilised upon heating and a stream of the aerosol former is contacted
with the aerosol-
generating substrate so as to entrain the flavours from the aerosol-generating
substrate in the
aerosol.
In other embodiments, the homogenised plant material may have an aerosol
former content
of about 30 percent by weight to about 45 percent by weight. This relatively
high level of aerosol
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former is particularly suitable for aerosol-generating substrates that are
intended to be heated at
a temperature of less than 275 degrees Celsius. In such embodiments, the
homogenised plant
material preferably further comprises between about 2 percent by weight and
about 10 percent
by weight of cellulose ether, on a dry weight basis and between about 5
percent by weight and
about 50 percent by weight of additional cellulose, on a dry weight basis. The
use of the
combination of cellulose ether and additional cellulose has been found to
provide a particularly
effective delivery of aerosol when used in an aerosol-generating substrate
having an aerosol
former content of between 30 percent by weight and 45 percent by weight.
Suitable cellulose ethers include but are not limited to methyl cellulose,
hydroxypropyl
methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl
cellulose, ethyl hydroxyl
ethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In particularly preferred
embodiments, the
cellulose ether is carboxymethyl cellulose.
As used herein, the term "additional cellulose" encompasses any cellulosic
material
incorporated into the homogenised plant material which does not derive from
the non-tobacco
plant particles or tobacco particles provided in the homogenised plant
material. The additional
cellulose is therefore incorporated in the homogenised plant material in
addition to the non-
tobacco plant material or tobacco material, as a separate and distinct source
of cellulose to any
cellulose intrinsically provided within the non-tobacco plant particles or
tobacco particles. The
additional cellulose will typically derive from a different plant to the non-
tobacco plant particles or
tobacco particles. Preferably, the additional cellulose is in the form of an
inert cellulosic material,
which is sensorially inert and therefore does not substantially impact the
organoleptic
characteristics of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating
substrate. For example, the
additional cellulose is preferably a tasteless and odourless material.
The additional cellulose may comprise cellulose powder, cellulose fibres, or a
combination
thereof.
The aerosol former may act as a humectant in the aerosol-generating substrate.
The wrapper circumscribing the rod of homogenised plant material may be a
paper
wrapper or a non-paper wrapper. Suitable paper wrappers for use in specific
embodiments of the
invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: cigarette
papers; and filter plug
wraps. Suitable non-paper wrappers for use in specific embodiments of the
invention are known
in the art and include, but are not limited to sheets of homogenised tobacco
materials. In certain
preferred embodiments, the wrapper may be formed of a laminate material
comprising a plurality
of layers. Preferably, the wrapper is formed of an aluminium co-laminated
sheet. The use of a
co-laminated sheet comprising aluminium advantageously prevents combustion of
the aerosol-
generating substrate in the event that the aerosol-generating substrate should
be ignited, rather
than heated in the intended manner.
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In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-
generating substrate
comprises a gel composition that includes an alkaloid compound, or a
cannabinoid compound, or
both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound. In particularly
preferred embodiments,
the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a gel composition that includes
nicotine.
Preferably, the gel composition comprises an alkaloid compound, or a
cannabinoid
compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound; an aerosol
former; and
at least one gelling agent. Preferably, the at least one gelling agent forms a
solid medium and
the glycerol is dispersed in the solid medium, with the alkaloid or
cannabinoid dispersed in the
glycerol. Preferably, the gel composition is a stable gel phase.
Advantageously, a stable gel composition comprising nicotine provides
predictable
composition form upon storage or transit from manufacture to the consumer. The
stable gel
composition comprising nicotine substantially maintains its shape. The stable
gel composition
comprising nicotine substantially does not release a liquid phase upon storage
or transit from
manufacture to the consumer. The stable gel composition comprising nicotine
may provide for a
simple consumable design. This consumable may not have to be designed to
contain a liquid,
thus a wider range of materials and container constructions may be
contemplated.
The gel composition described herein may be combined with an aerosol-
generating
device to provide a nicotine aerosol to the lungs at inhalation or air flow
rates that are within
conventional smoking regime inhalation or air flow rates. The aerosol-
generating device may
continuously heat the gel composition. A consumer may take a plurality of
inhalations or "puffs"
where each "puff" delivers an amount of nicotine aerosol. The gel composition
may be capable
of delivering a high nicotine/low total particulate matter (TPM) aerosol to a
consumer when
heated, preferably in a continuous manner.
The phrase "stable gel phase" or "stable gel" refers to gel that substantially
maintains its
shape and mass when exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. The
stable gel may not
substantially release (sweat) or absorb water when exposed to a standard
temperature and
pressure while varying relative humidity from about 10 percent to about 60
percent. For example,
the stable gel may substantially maintain its shape and mass when exposed to a
standard
temperature and pressure while varying relative humidity from about 10 percent
to about 60
percent.
The gel composition includes an alkaloid compound, or a cannabinoid compound,
or both
an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound. The gel composition may
include one or
more alkaloids. The gel composition may include one or more cannabinoids. The
gel composition
may include a combination of one or more alkaloids and one or more can
nabinoids.
The term "alkaloid compound" refers to any one of a class of naturally
occurring organic
compounds that contain one or more basic nitrogen atoms. Generally, an
alkaloid contains at
least one nitrogen atom in an amine-type structure. This or another nitrogen
atom in the molecule
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of the alkaloid compound can be active as a base in acid-base reactions. Most
alkaloid
compounds have one or more of their nitrogen atoms as part of a cyclic system,
such as for
example a heterocylic ring. In nature, alkaloid compounds are found primarily
in plants, and are
especially common in certain families of flowering plants. However, some
alkaloid compounds
are found in animal species and fungi. In this disclosure, the term "alkaloid
compound" refers to
both naturally derived alkaloid compounds and synthetically manufactured
alkaloid compounds.
The gel composition may preferably include an alkaloid compound selected from
the group
consisting of nicotine, anatabine, and combinations thereof.
Preferably the gel composition includes nicotine.
The term "nicotine" refers to nicotine and nicotine derivatives such as free-
base nicotine,
nicotine salts and the like.
The term "cannabinoid compound" refers to any one of a class of naturally
occurring
compounds that are found in parts of the cannabis plant ¨ namely the species
Cannabis sativa,
Cannabis id/ca, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabinoid compounds are especially
concentrated
in the female flower heads. Cannabinoid compounds naturally occurring in the
cannabis plant
include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In this disclosure,
the term
"cannabinoid compounds" is used to describe both naturally derived cannabinoid
compounds and
synthetically manufactured cannabinoid compounds.
The gel may include a cannabinoid compound selected from the group consisting
of
cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
(THCA),
cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG),
cannabichromene (CBC),
can nabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), can
nabidivarin
(CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol
monomethyl
ether (CBGM), cannabielsoin (CBE),cannabicitran (CBT), and combinations
thereof.
The gel composition may preferably include a cannabinoid compound selected
from the
group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and
combinations thereof.
The gel may preferably include cannabidiol (CBD).
The gel composition may include nicotine and cannabidiol (CBD).
The gel composition may include nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD), and THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol).
The gel composition preferably includes about 0.5 percent by weight to about
10 percent
by weight of an alkaloid compound, or about 0.5 percent by weight to about 10
percent by weight.
of a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid
compound in a
total amount from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight.
The gel composition
may include about 0.5 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of an
alkaloid compound,
or about 0.5 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of a cannabinoid
compound, or both
an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound in a total amount from about
0.5 percent by
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weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the gel composition includes
about 1 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight of an alkaloid compound, or about 1
percent by weight to
about 3 percent by weight of a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid
compound and a
cannabinoid compound in a total amount from about 1 percent by weight to about
3 percent by
weight. The gel composition may preferably include about 1.5 percent by weight
to about 2.5
percent by weight of an alkaloid compound, or about 1.5 percent by weight to
about 2.5 percent
by weight of a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a
cannabinoid
compound in a total amount from about 1.5 percent by weight to about 2.5
percent by weight.
The gel composition may preferably include about 2 percent by weight of an
alkaloid compound,
or about 2 percent by weight of a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid
compound and a
cannabinoid compound in a total amount of about 2 percent by weight. The
alkaloid compound
component of the gel formulation may be the most volatile component of the gel
formulation. In
some aspects water may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation
and the alkaloid
compound component of the gel formulation may be the second most volatile
component of the
gel formulation. The cannabinoid compound component of the gel formulation may
be the most
volatile component of the gel formulation. In some aspects water may be the
most volatile
component of the gel formulation and the alkaloid compound component of the
gel formulation
may be the second most volatile component of the gel formulation.
Preferably nicotine is included in the gel compositions. The nicotine may be
added to the
composition in a free base form or a salt form. The gel composition includes
about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 10 percent by weight nicotine, or about 0.5 percent by
weight to about 5 percent
by weight nicotine. Preferably the gel composition includes about 1 percent by
weight to about 3
percent by weight nicotine, or about 1.5 percent by weight to about 2.5
percent by weight nicotine,
or about 2 percent by weight nicotine. The nicotine component of the gel
formulation may be the
most volatile component of the gel formulation. In some aspects water may be
the most volatile
component of the gel formulation and the nicotine component of the gel
formulation may be the
second most volatile component of the gel formulation.
The gel composition preferably includes an aerosol-former. Ideally the aerosol-
former is
substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of
the associated
aerosol-generating device. Suitable aerosol-formers include, but are not
limited to: polyhydric
alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of
polyhydric alcohols,
such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-
or polycarboxylic acids,
such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Polyhydric
alcohols or
mixtures thereof, may be one or more of triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol
and, glycerine (glycerol
or propane-1,2,3-triol) or polyethylene glycol. The aerosol-former is
preferably glycerol.
The gel composition may include a majority of an aerosol-former. The gel
composition
may include a mixture of water and the aerosol-former where the aerosol-former
forms a majority
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(by weight) of the gel composition. The aerosol-former may form at least about
50 percent by
weight of the gel composition. The aerosol-former may form at least about 60
percent by weight
or at least about 65 percent by weight or at least about 70 percent by weight
of the gel
composition. The aerosol-former may form about 70 percent by weight to about
80 percent by
weight of the gel composition. The aerosol-former may form about 70 percent by
weight to about
75 percent by weight of the gel composition.
The gel composition may include a majority of glycerol. The gel composition
may include
a mixture of water and the glycerol where the glycerol forms a majority (by
weight) of the gel
composition. The glycerol may form at least about 50 percent by weight of the
gel composition.
The glycerol may form at least about 60 percent by weight or at least about 65
percent by weight
or at least about 70 percent by weight of the gel composition. The glycerol
may form about 70
percent by weight to about 80 percent by weight of the gel composition. The
glycerol may form
about 70 percent by weight to about 75 percent by weight of the gel
composition.
The gel composition preferably includes at least one gelling agent.
Preferably, the gel
composition includes a total amount of gelling agents in a range from about
0.4 percent by weight
to about 10 percent by weight. More preferably, the composition includes the
gelling agents in a
range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 8 percent by weight. More
preferably, the
composition includes the gelling agents in a range from about 1 percent by
weight to about 6
percent by weight. More preferably, the composition includes the gelling
agents in a range from
about 2 percent by weight to about 4 percent by weight. More preferably, the
composition includes
the gelling agents in a range from about 2 percent by weight to about 3
percent by weight.
The term "gelling agent" refers to a compound that homogeneously, when added
to a 50
percent by weight water/50 percent by weight glycerol mixture, in an amount of
about 0.3 percent
by weight, forms a solid medium or support matrix leading to a gel. Gelling
agents include, but
are not limited to, hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agents, and ionic
crosslinking gelling
agents.
The gelling agent may include one or more biopolymers. The biopolymers may be
formed
of polysaccharides.
Biopolymers include, for example, gellan gums (native, low acyl gellan gum,
high acyl
gellan gums with low acyl gellan gum being preferred), xanthan gum, alginates
(alginic acid),
agar, guar gum, and the like. The composition may preferably include xanthan
gum. The
composition may include two biopolymers. The composition may include three
biopolymers. The
composition may include the two biopolymers in substantially equal weights.
The composition
may include the three biopolymers in substantially equal weights.
Preferably, the gel composition comprises at least about 0.2 percent by weight
hydrogen-
bond crosslinking gelling agent. Alternatively or in addition, the gel
composition preferably
comprises at least about 0.2 percent by weight ionic crosslinking gelling
agent. Most preferably,
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the gel composition comprises at least about 0.2 percent by weight hydrogen-
bond crosslinking
gelling agent and at least about 0.2 percent by weight ionic crosslinking
gelling agent. The gel
composition may comprise about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by
weight hydrogen-
bond crosslinking gelling agent and about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3
percent by weight
ionic crosslinking gelling agent, or about 1 percent by weight to about 2
percent by weight
hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and about 1 percent by weight to
about 2 percent by
weight ionic crosslinking gelling agent. The hydrogen-bond crosslinking
gelling agent and ionic
crosslinking gelling agent may be present in the gel composition in
substantially equal amounts
by weight.
The term "hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent' refers to a gelling agent
that forms
non-covalent crosslinking bonds or physical crosslinking bonds via hydrogen
bonding. Hydrogen
bonding is a type of electrostatic dipole-dipole attraction between molecules,
not a covalent bond
to a hydrogen atom. It results from the attractive force between a hydrogen
atom covalently
bonded to a very electronegative atom such as a N, 0, or F atom and another
very electronegative
atom.
The hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent may include one or more of a
galactomannan, gelatin, agarose, or konjac gum, or agar. The hydrogen-bond
crosslinking gelling
agent may preferably include agar.
The gel composition preferably includes the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling
agent in
a range from about 0.3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight.
Preferably the
composition includes the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the composition
includes the
hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent in a range from about 1 percent by
weight to about 2
percent by weight.
The gel composition may include a galactomannan in a range from about 0.2
percent by
weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the galactomannan may be in a
range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the
galactomannan may be in a
range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
Preferably the
galactomannan may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2
percent by weight.
The gel composition may include a gelatin in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the gelatin may be in a range from about
0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the gelatin may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the gelatin may be
in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include agarose in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the agarose may be in a range from about
0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the agarose may be in a range
from about 0.5
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percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the agarose may be
in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include konjac gum in a range from about 0.2 percent
by weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the konjac gum may be in a range from
about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the konjac gum may be in a
range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the konjac gum
may be in a range
from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include agar in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the agar may be in a range from about
0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the agar may be in a range
from about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the agar may be in a range
from about 1
percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The term "ionic crosslinking gelling agent" refers to a gelling agent that
forms non-covalent
crosslinking bonds or physical crosslinking bonds via ionic bonding. Ionic
crosslinking involves
the association of polymer chains by noncovalent interactions. A crosslinked
network is formed
when multivalent molecules of opposite charges electrostatically attract each
other giving rise to
a crosslinked polymeric network.
The ionic crosslinking gelling agent may include low acyl gellan, pectin,
kappa
carrageenan, iota carrageenan or alginate. The ionic crosslinking gelling
agent may preferably
include low acyl gellan.
The gel composition may include the ionic crosslinking gelling agent in a
range from about
0.3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the composition
includes the ionic
crosslinking gelling agent in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to
about 3 percent by weight
by weight. Preferably the composition includes the ionic crosslinking gelling
agent in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include low acyl gellan in a range from about 0.2
percent by
weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the low acyl gellan may be in
a range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the low acyl
gellan may be in a
range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
Preferably the low acyl
gellan may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by
weight.
The gel composition may include pectin in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the pectin may be in a range from about
0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the pectin may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the pectin may be
in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include kappa carrageenan in a range from about 0.2
percent
by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the kappa carrageenan may
be in a range
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from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the
kappa carrageenan
may be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by
weight. Preferably the
kappa carrageenan may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2
percent by
weight.
The gel composition may include iota carrageenan in a range from about 0.2
percent by
weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the iota carrageenan may be in
a range from
about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the iota
carrageenan may
be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
Preferably the iota
carrageenan may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2
percent by weight.
The gel composition may include alginate in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the alginate may be in a range from
about 0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the alginate may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the alginate may be
in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent
and ionic
crosslinking gelling agent in a ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:3. Preferably
the gel composition may
include the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and ionic crosslinking
gelling agent in a ratio
of about 2:1 to about 1:2. Preferably the gel composition may include the
hydrogen-bond
crosslinking gelling agent and ionic crosslinking gelling agent in a ratio of
about 1:1.
The gel composition may further include a viscosifying agent. The viscosifying
agent
combined with the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and the ionic
crosslinking gelling
agent appears to surprisingly support the solid medium and maintain the gel
composition even
when the gel composition comprises a high level of glycerol.
The term "viscosifying agent" refers to a compound that, when added
homogeneously into
a 25 C, 50 percent by weight water/50 percent by weight glycerol mixture, in
an amount of 0.3
percent by weight., increases the viscosity without leading to the formation
of a gel, the mixture
staying or remaining fluid. Preferably the viscosifying agent refers to a
compound that when
added homogeneously into a 25 C 50 percent by weight water/50 percent by
weight glycerol
mixture, in an amount of 0.3 percent by weight, increases the viscosity to at
least 50 cPs,
preferably at least 200 cPs, preferably at least 500 cPs, preferably at least
1000 cPs at a shear
rate of 0.1 s-1, without leading to the formation of a gel, the mixture
staying or remaining fluid.
Preferably the viscosifying agent refers to a compound that when added
homogeneously into a
25 C 50 percent by weight water/50 percent by weight glycerol mixture, in an
amount of 0.3
percent by weight, increases the viscosity at least 2 times, or at least 5
times, or at least 10 times,
or at least 100 times higher than before addition, at a shear rate of 0.1 s-1,
without leading to the
formation of a gel, the mixture staying or remaining fluid.
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The viscosity values recited herein can be measured using a Brookfield RVT
viscometer
rotating a disc type RV#2 spindle at 25 C at a speed of 6 revolutions per
minute (rpm).
The gel composition preferably includes the viscosifying agent in a range from
about 0.2
percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the composition
includes the
viscosifying agent in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3
percent by weight.
Preferably the composition includes the viscosifying agent in a range from
about 0.5 percent by
weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the composition includes the
viscosifying agent
in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The viscosifying agent may include one or more of xanthan gum, carboxymethyl-
cellulose,
microcrystalline cellulose, methyl cellulose, gum Arabic, guar gum, lambda
carrageenan, or
starch. The viscosifying agent may preferably include xanthan gum.
The gel composition may include xanthan gum in a range from about 0.2 percent
by weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the xanthan gum may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the xanthan gum may
be in a range
from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the
xanthan gum may
be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include carboxymethyl-cellulose in a range from about
0.2
percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the carboxymethyl-
cellulose may be
in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight.
Preferably the
carboxymethyl-cellu lose may be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to
about 2 percent
by weight. Preferably the carboxymethyl-cellulose may be in a range from about
1 percent by
weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include microcrystalline cellulose in a range from
about 0.2
percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the
microcrystalline cellulose may be
in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight.
Preferably the
microcrystalline cellulose may be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight
to about 2 percent
by weight. Preferably the microcrystalline cellulose may be in a range from
about 1 percent by
weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include methyl cellulose in a range from about 0.2
percent by
weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the methyl cellulose may be in
a range from
about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the
methyl cellulose may
be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
Preferably the
methyl cellulose may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2
percent by weight.
The gel composition may include gum Arabic in a range from about 0.2 percent
by weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the gum Arabic may be in a range from
about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the gum Arabic may be in a
range from about
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0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the gum Arabic
may be in a range
from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include guar gum in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the guar gum may be in a range from
about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the guar gum may be in a
range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the guar gum
may be in a range
from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include lambda carrageenan in a range from about 0.2
percent
by weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the lambda carrageenan may
be in a range
from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the
lambda
carrageenan may be in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2
percent by weight.
Preferably the lambda carrageenan may be in a range from about 1 percent by
weight to about 2
percent by weight.
The gel composition may include starch in a range from about 0.2 percent by
weight to
about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the starch may be in a range from about
0.5 percent by
weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the starch may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the starch may be
in a range from
about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may further include a divalent cation. Preferably the
divalent cation
includes calcium ions, such as calcium lactate in solution. Divalent cations
(such as calcium ions)
may assist in the gel formation of compositions that include gelling agents
such as the ionic
crosslinking gelling agent, for example. The ion effect may assist in the gel
formation. The
divalent cation may be present in the gel composition in a range from about
0.1 to about 1 percent
by weight, or about 0.5 percent by weight t.
The gel composition may further include an acid. The acid may comprise a
carboxylic
acid. The carboxylic acid may include a ketone group. Preferably the
carboxylic acid may include
a ketone group having less than about 10 carbon atoms, or less than about 6
carbon atoms or
less than about 4 carbon atoms, such as levulinic acid or lactic acid.
Preferably this carboxylic
acid has three carbon atoms (such as lactic acid). Lactic acid surprisingly
improves the stability
of the gel composition even over similar carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acid
may assist in the
gel formation. The carboxylic acid may reduce variation of the alkaloid
compound concentration,
or the cannabinoid compound concentration, or both the alkaloid compound
concentration and
the cannabinoid compound within the gel composition during storage. The
carboxylic acid may
reduce variation of the nicotine concentration within the gel composition
during storage.
The gel composition may include a carboxylic acid in a range from about 0.1
percent by
weight to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the carboxylic acid may be in
a range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the carboxylic
acid may be in a
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range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
Preferably the carboxylic
acid may be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by
weight.
The gel composition may include lactic acid in a range from about 0.1 percent
by weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the lactic acid may be in a range
from about 0.5 percent
by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the lactic acid may be in a
range from about
0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the lactic acid
may be in a range
from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition may include levulinic acid in a range from about 0.1
percent by weight
to about 5 percent by weight. Preferably the levulinic acid may be in a range
from about 0.5
percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. Preferably the levulinic acid
may be in a range
from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight. Preferably the
levulinic acid may
be in a range from about 1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight.
The gel composition preferably comprises some water. The gel composition is
more
stable when the composition comprises some water. Preferably the gel
composition comprises
at least about 1 percent by weight, or at least about 2 percent by weight., or
at least about 5
percent by weight of water. Preferably the gel composition comprises at least
about 10 percent
by weight or at least about 15 percent by weight water.
Preferably the gel composition comprises between about 8 percent by weight to
about 32
percent by weight water. Preferably the gel composition comprises from about
15 percent by
weight to about 25 percent by weight water. Preferably the gel composition
comprises from about
18 percent by weight to about 22 percent by weight water. Preferably the gel
composition
comprises about 20 percent by weight water.
Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises between about 150 mg
and about
350 mg of the gel composition.
Preferably, in embodiments comprising a gel composition, the aerosol-
generating
substrate comprises a porous medium loaded with the gel composition.
Advantages of a porous
medium loaded with the gel composition is that the gel composition is retained
within the porous
medium, and this may aid manufacturing, storage or transport of the gel
composition. It may assist
in keeping the desired shape of the gel composition, especially during
manufacture, transport, or
use.
The term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that provides a
plurality of pores or
openings that allow the passage of air through the material.
The porous medium may be any suitable porous material able to hold or retain
the gel
composition. Ideally the porous medium can allow the gel composition to move
within it. In specific
embodiments the porous medium comprises natural materials, synthetic, or semi-
synthetic, or a
combination thereof. In specific embodiments the porous medium comprises sheet
material,
foam, or fibres, for example loose fibres; or a combination thereof. In
specific embodiments the
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porous medium comprises a woven, non-woven, or extruded material, or
combinations thereof.
Preferably the porous medium comprises, cotton, paper, viscose, PLA, or
cellulose acetate, of
combinations thereof. Preferably the porous medium comprises a sheet material,
for example,
cotton or cellulose acetate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the
porous medium comprises
a sheet made from cotton fibres.
The porous medium used in the present invention may be crimped or shredded. In
preferred embodiments, the porous medium is crimped. In alternative
embodiments the porous
medium comprises shredded porous medium. The crimping or shredding process can
be before
or after loading with the gel composition.
Crimping of the sheet material has the benefit of improving the structure to
allow
passageways through the structure. The passageways though the crimped sheet
material assist
in loading up gel, retaining gel and also for fluid to pass through the
crimped sheet material.
Therefore there are advantages of using crimped sheet material as the porous
medium.
Shredding gives a high surface area to volume ratio to the medium thus able to
absorb
gel easily.
In specific embodiments the sheet material is a composite material. Preferably
the sheet
material is porous. The sheet material may aid manufacture of the tubular
element comprising a
gel. The sheet material may aid introducing an active agent to the tubular
element comprising a
gel. The sheet material may help stabilise the structure of the tubular
element comprising a gel.
The sheet material may assist transport or storage of the gel. Using a sheet
material enables, or
aids, adding structure to the porous medium for example by crimping of the
sheet material.
The porous medium may be a thread. The thread may comprise for example cotton,
paper
or acetate tow. The thread may also be loaded with gel like any other porous
medium. An
advantage of using a thread as the porous medium is that it may aid ease of
manufacturing.
The thread may be loaded with gel by any known means. The thread may be simply
coated
with gel, or the thread may be impregnated with gel. In the manufacture, the
threads may be
impregnated with gel and stored ready for use to be included in the assembly
of a tubular element.
The porous medium loaded with the gel composition is preferably provided
within a tubular
element that forms a part of the aerosol-generating article. Ideally the
tubular element may be
longer in longitudinal length then in width but not necessarily as it may be
one part of a multi-
component item that ideally will be longer in its longitudinal length then its
width. Typically, the
tubular element is cylindrical but not necessarily. For example, the tubular
element may have an
oval, polygonal like triangular or rectangular or random cross section.
The tubular element preferably comprises a first longitudinal passageway. The
tubular
element is preferably formed of a wrapper that defines the first longitudinal
passageway. The
wrapper is preferably a water-resistant wrapper. This water-resistant property
the wrapper may
be achieved by using a water-resistant material, or by treating the material
of the wrapper. It may
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be achieved by treating one side or both sides of the wrapper. Being water-
resistant would assist
in not losing structure, stiffness or rigidity. It may also assist in
preventing leaks of gel or liquid,
especially when gels of a fluid structure are used.
Preferably, in embodiments in which the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
comprises a
gel composition, as described above, the downstream section of the aerosol-
generating article
comprises an aerosol-cooling element having a length of less than 10
millimetres. The use of a
relatively short aerosol-cooling element in combination with a gel composition
has found to
optimise the delivery of aerosol to the consumer.
Embodiments of the invention in which the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
comprises
a gel composition, as described above, preferably comprise an upstream element
upstream of
the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. In this case, the upstream element
advantageously
prevents physical contact with the gel composition.
The upstream element can also
advantageously compensate for any potential reduction in RTD, for example, due
to evaporation
of the gel composition upon heating of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
during use.
In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, an elongate
susceptor element
is arranged substantially longitudinally within the rod of aerosol-generating
substrate and is in
thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate.
As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "susceptor
element" refers
to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located
within a fluctuating
electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced in the susceptor element cause
heating of the
susceptor element. As the elongate susceptor element is located in thermal
contact with the
aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by
the susceptor
element.
When used for describing the susceptor element, the term "elongate" means that
the
susceptor element has a length dimension that is greater than its width
dimension or its thickness
dimension, for example greater than twice its width dimension or its thickness
dimension.
The elongate susceptor element is arranged substantially longitudinally within
the rod. This
means that the length dimension of the elongate susceptor element is arranged
to be
approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod, for example
within plus or minus 10
degrees of parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod. In preferred
embodiments, the elongate
susceptor element may be positioned in a radially central position within the
rod, and extends
along the longitudinal axis of the rod.
Preferably, the susceptor element extends all the way to a downstream end of
the rod of
aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the susceptor element may
extend all the way
to an upstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating article. In particularly
preferred embodiments,
the susceptor element has substantially the same length as the rod of aerosol-
generating
substrate, and extends from the upstream end of the rod to the downstream end
of the rod.
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The susceptor element is preferably in the form of a pin, rod, strip or blade.
The susceptor element preferably has a length from about 5 millimetres to
about 15
millimetres, for example from about 6 millimetres to about 12 millimetres, or
from about 8
millimetres to about 10 millimetres.
A ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of
the aerosol-
generating article substrate may be from about 0.2 to about 0.35.
Preferably, a ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the
overall length of
the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.22, more
preferably at least about 0.24,
even more preferably at least about 0.26. A ratio between the length of the
susceptor element
and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
preferably less than about
0.34, more preferably less than about 0.32, even more preferably less than
about 0.3.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the length of the susceptor element and
the overall
length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about
0.22 to about 0.34,
more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.34, even more preferably from about
0.26 to about
0.34. In other embodiments, a ratio between the length of the susceptor
element and the overall
length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about
0.22 to about 0.32,
more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.32, even more preferably from about
0.26 to about
0.32. In further embodiments, a ratio between the length of the susceptor
element and the overall
length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about
0.22 to about 0.3, more
preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.3, even more preferably from about 0.26
to about 0.3.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ratio between the length of the
susceptor
element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is
about 0.27.
The susceptor element preferably has a width from about 1 millimetres to about
5
millimetres.
The susceptor element may generally have a thickness from about 0.01
millimetres to about
2 millimetres, for example from about 0.5 millimetres to about 2 millimetres.
In some
embodiments, the susceptor element preferably has a thickness from about 10
micrometres to
about 500 micrometres, more preferably from about 10 micrometres to about 100
micrometres.
If the susceptor element has a constant cross-section, for example a circular
cross-section,
it has a preferable width or diameter from about 1 millimetre to about 5
millimetres.
lithe susceptor element has the form of a strip or blade, the strip or blade
preferably has a
rectangular shape having a width of preferably from about 2 millimetres to
about 8 millimetres,
more preferably from about 3 millimetres to about 5 millimetres. By way of
example, a susceptor
element in the form of a strip of blade may have a width of about 4
millimetres.
lithe susceptor element has the form of a strip or blade, the strip or blade
preferably has a
rectangular shape and a thickness from about 0.03 millimetres to about 0.15
millimetres, more
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preferably from about 0.05 millimetres to about 0.09 millimetres. By way of
example, a susceptor
element in the form of a strip of blade may have a thickness of about 0.07
millimetres.
In a preferred embodiment, the elongate susceptor element is in the form of a
strip or blade,
preferably has a rectangular shape, and has a thickness from about 55
micrometres to about 65
micrometres.
More preferably, the elongate susceptor element has a thickness from about 57
micrometres to about 63 micrometres. Even more preferably, the elongate
susceptor element
has a thickness from about 58 micrometres to about 62 micrometres. In a
particularly preferred
embodiment, the elongate susceptor element has a thickness of about 60
micrometres.
Preferably, the elongate susceptor element has a length which is the same or
shorter than
the length of the aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the elongate
susceptor element has a
same length as the aerosol-generating substrate.
The susceptor element may be formed from any material that can be inductively
heated to
a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating
substrate. Preferred
susceptor elements comprise a metal or carbon.
A preferred susceptor element may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic
material, for
example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or
stainless steel. A suitable
susceptor element may be, or comprise, aluminium. Preferred susceptor elements
may be
formed from 400 series stainless steels, for example grade 410, or grade 420,
or grade 430
stainless steel. Different materials will dissipate different amounts of
energy when positioned
within electromagnetic fields having similar values of frequency and field
strength.
Thus, parameters of the susceptor element such as material type, length,
width, and
thickness may all be altered to provide a desired power dissipation within a
known
electromagnetic field. Preferred susceptor elements may be heated to a
temperature in excess
of 250 degrees Celsius.
Suitable susceptor elements may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal
layer disposed
on the non-metallic core, for example metallic tracks formed on a surface of a
ceramic core. A
susceptor element may have a protective external layer, for example a
protective ceramic layer
or protective glass layer encapsulating the susceptor element. The susceptor
element may
comprise a protective coating formed by a glass, a ceramic, or an inert metal,
formed over a core
of susceptor element material.
The susceptor element is arranged in thermal contact with the aerosol-
generating substrate.
Thus, when the susceptor element heats up the aerosol-generating substrate is
heated up and
an aerosol is formed. Preferably the susceptor element is arranged in direct
physical contact with
the aerosol-generating substrate, for example within the aerosol-generating
substrate.
The susceptor element may be a multi-material susceptor element and may
comprise a first
susceptor element material and a second susceptor element material. The first
susceptor
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element material is disposed in intimate physical contact with the second
susceptor element
material. The second susceptor element material preferably has a Curie
temperature that is lower
than 500 degrees Celsius. The first susceptor element material is preferably
used primarily to
heat the susceptor element when the susceptor element is placed in a
fluctuating electromagnetic
field. Any suitable material may be used. For example the first susceptor
element material may
be aluminium, or may be a ferrous material such as a stainless steel. The
second susceptor
element material is preferably used primarily to indicate when the susceptor
element has reached
a specific temperature, that temperature being the Curie temperature of the
second susceptor
element material. The Curie temperature of the second susceptor element
material can be used
to regulate the temperature of the entire susceptor element during operation.
Thus, the Curie
temperature of the second susceptor element material should be below the
ignition point of the
aerosol-generating substrate. Suitable materials for the second susceptor
element material may
include nickel and certain nickel alloys.
By providing a susceptor element having at least a first and a second
susceptor element
material, with either the second susceptor element material having a Curie
temperature and the
first susceptor element material not having a Curie temperature, or first and
second susceptor
element materials having first and second Curie temperatures distinct from one
another, the
heating of the aerosol-generating substrate and the temperature control of the
heating may be
separated. The first susceptor element material is preferably a magnetic
material having a Curie
temperature that is above 500 degrees Celsius. It is desirable from the point
of view of heating
efficiency that the Curie temperature of the first susceptor element material
is above any
maximum temperature that the susceptor element should be capable of being
heated to. The
second Curie temperature may preferably be selected to be lower than 400
degrees Celsius,
preferably lower than 380 degrees Celsius, or lower than 360 degrees Celsius.
It is preferable
that the second susceptor element material is a magnetic material selected to
have a second
Curie temperature that is substantially the same as a desired maximum heating
temperature.
That is, it is preferable that the second Curie temperature is approximately
the same as the
temperature that the susceptor element should be heated to in order to
generate an aerosol from
the aerosol-generating substrate. The second Curie temperature may, for
example, be within the
range of 200 degrees Celsius to 400 degrees Celsius, or between 250 degrees
Celsius and 360
degrees Celsius. The second Curie temperature of the second susceptor element
material may,
for example, be selected such that, upon being heated by a susceptor element
that is at a
temperature equal to the second Curie temperature, an overall average
temperature of the
aerosol-generating substrate does not exceed 240 degrees Celsius.
The aerosol-generating articles of the present invention may further comprise
an upstream
element located upstream of and adjacent to the aerosol-generating substrate,
wherein the
upstream section comprises at least one upstream element. The provision of an
upstream
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element is an effective way to shift the centre of mass of the aerosol-
generating article towards
the upstream end. The upstream position of the upstream element means that its
weight can be
adjusted, for example by adjusting the density of the material forming the
upstream element,
without impacting the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate.
The upstream element advantageously prevents direct physical contact with the
upstream
end of the aerosol-generating substrate. In particular, where the aerosol-
generating substrate
comprises a susceptor element, the upstream element may prevent direct
physical contact with
the upstream end of the susceptor element. This helps to prevent the
displacement or
deformation of the susceptor element during handling or transport of the
aerosol-generating
article. This in turn helps to secure the form and position of the susceptor
element. Furthermore,
the presence of an upstream element helps to prevent any loss of the
substrate, which may be
advantageous, for example, if the substrate contains particulate plant
material.
The upstream element may also provide an improved appearance to the upstream
end of
the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, if desired, the upstream element
may be used to
provide information on the aerosol-generating article, such as information on
brand, flavour,
content, or details of the aerosol-generating device that the article is
intended to be used with.
The upstream element may be a porous plug element. Preferably, a porous plug
element
does not alter the resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article.
Preferably, the upstream
element has a porosity of at least about 50 percent in the longitudinal
direction of the aerosol-
generating article. More preferably, the upstream element has a porosity of
between about 50
percent and about 90 percent in the longitudinal direction. The porosity of
the upstream element
in the longitudinal direction is defined by the ratio of the cross-sectional
area of material forming
the upstream element and the internal cross-sectional area of the aerosol-
generating article at
the position of the upstream element.
The upstream element may be made of a porous material or may comprise a
plurality of
openings. This may, for example, be achieved through laser perforation.
Preferably, the plurality
of openings is distributed homogeneously over the cross-section of the
upstream element.
The porosity or permeability of the upstream element may advantageously be
varied in
order to provide a desirable overall resistance to draw of the aerosol-
generating article.
Preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 5 millimetres
H20. More
preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 10 millimetres
H20. Even more
preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 15 millimetres
H20. In particularly
preferred embodiments, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 20
millimetres H20.
The RTD of the upstream element is preferably less than or equal to about 80
millimetres
H20. More preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is less than or equal to
about 60
millimetres H20. Even more preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is less
than or equal
to about 40 millimetres H20.
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In some embodiments, the RTD of the upstream element is from about 5
millimetres H20
to about BO millimetres H20, preferably from about 10 millimetres H20 to about
BO millimetres
H20, more preferably from about 15 millimetres H20 to about 80 millimetres
H20, even more
preferably from about 20 millimetres H20 to about 80 millimetres H20. In other
embodiments, the
RTD of the upstream element is from about 5 millimetres H20 to about 60
millimetres H20,
preferably from about 10 millimetres H20 to about 60 millimetres H20, more
preferably from about
millimetres H20 to about 60 millimetres H20, even more preferably from about
20 millimetres
H20 to about 60 millimetres H20. In further embodiments, the RTD of the
upstream element is
from about 5 millimetres H20 to about 40 millimetres H20, preferably from
about 10 millimetres
10 H20 to about 40 millimetres H20, more preferably from about 15
millimetres H20 to about 40
millimetres H20, even more preferably from about 20 millimetres H20 to about
40 millimetres H20.
In alternative embodiments, the upstream element may be formed from a material
that is
impermeable to air. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may be
configured such
that air flows into the rod of aerosol-generating substrate through suitable
ventilation means
15 provided in a wrapper.
The upstream element may be made of any material suitable for use in an
aerosol-
generating article. The upstream element may, for example, be made of a same
material as used
for one of the other components of the aerosol-generating article, such as the
mouthpiece, the
cooling element or the support element. Suitable materials for forming the
upstream element
include filter materials, ceramic, polymer material, cellulose acetate,
cardboard, zeolite or aerosol-
generating substrate. Preferably, the upstream element is formed from a plug
of cellulose
acetate.
Preferably, the upstream element is formed of a heat resistant material. For
example,
preferably the upstream element is formed of a material that resists
temperatures of up to 350
degrees Celsius. This ensures that the upstream element is not adversely
affected by the heating
means for heating the aerosol-generating substrate.
Preferably, the upstream element has a diameter that is approximately equal to
the
diameter of the aerosol-generating article.
Preferably, the upstream element has a length of between about 1 millimetre
and about
10 millimetres, more preferably between about 3 millimetres and about 8
millimetres, more
preferably between about 4 millimetres and about 6 millimetres. In a
particularly preferred
embodiment, the upstream element has a length of about 5 millimetres. The
length of the
upstream element can advantageously be varied in order to provide the desired
total length of the
aerosol-generating article. For example, where it is desired to reduce the
length of one of the
other components of the aerosol-generating article, the length of the upstream
element may be
increased in order to maintain the same overall length of the article.
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The upstream element preferably has a substantially homogeneous structure. For
example, the upstream element may be substantially homogeneous in texture and
appearance.
The upstream element may, for example, have a continuous, regular surface over
its entire cross
section. The upstream element may, for example, have no recognisable
symmetries.
The upstream element is preferably circumscribed by a wrapper. The wrapper
circumscribing the upstream element is preferably a stiff plug wrap, for
example, a plug wrap
having a basis weight of at least about BO grams per square metre (gsm), or at
least about 100
gsm, or at least about 110 gsm. This provides structural rigidity to the
upstream element.
The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention may have a
length from
about 35 millimetres to about 100 millimetres.
Preferably, an overall length of an aerosol-generating article in accordance
with the
invention is at least about 38 millimetres. More preferably, an overall length
of an aerosol-
generating article in accordance with the invention is at least about 40
millimetres. Even more
preferably, an overall length of an aerosol-generating article in accordance
with the invention is
at least about 42 millimetres.
An overall length of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the
invention is
preferably less than or equal to 70 millimetres. More preferably, an overall
length of an aerosol-
generating article in accordance with the invention is preferably less than or
equal to 60
millimetres.
Even more preferably, an overall length of an aerosol-generating
article in
accordance with the invention is preferably less than or equal to 50
millimetres.
In some embodiments, an overall length of the aerosol-generating article is
preferably
from about 38 millimetres to about 70 millimetres, more preferably from about
40 millimetres to
about 70 millimetres, even more preferably from about 42 millimetres to about
70 millimetres. In
other embodiments, an overall length of the aerosol-generating article is
preferably from about 38
millimetres to about 60 millimetres, more preferably from about 40 millimetres
to about 60
millimetres, even more preferably from about 42 millimetres to about 60
millimetres. In further
embodiments, an overall length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably
from about 38
millimetres to about 50 millimetres, more preferably from about 40 millimetres
to about 50
millimetres, even more preferably from about 42 millimetres to about 50
millimetres. In an
exemplary embodiment, an overall length of the aerosol-generating article is
about 45 millimetres.
The aerosol-generating article preferably has an external diameter of at least
5 millimetres.
Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an external diameter of at
least 6 millimetres. More
preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an external diameter of at
least 7 millimetres.
Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an external diameter of less
than or equal
to about 12 millimetres. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has
an external diameter
of less than or equal to about 10 millimetres. Even more preferably, the
aerosol-generating article
has an external diameter of less than or equal to about 8 millimetres.
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In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has an external diameter
from about
millimetres to about 12 millimetres, preferably from about 6 millimetres to
about 12 millimetres,
more preferably from about 7 millimetres to about 12 millimetres. In other
embodiments, the
aerosol-generating article has an external diameter from about 5 millimetres
to about 10
5 millimetres, preferably from about 6 millimetres to about 10 millimetres,
more preferably from
about 7 millimetres to about 10 millimetres. In further embodiments, the
aerosol-generating article
has an external diameter from about 5 millimetres to about 8 millimetres,
preferably from about 6
millimetres to about 8 millimetres, more preferably from about 7 millimetres
to about 8 millimetres.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, a diameter (DmE) of the
aerosol-
generating article at the mouth end is (preferably) greater than a diameter
(DDE) of the aerosol-
generating article at the distal end. In more detail, a ratio (DmE/DDE)
between the diameter of the
aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-
generating article at
the distal end is (preferably) at least about 1.005.
Preferably, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating
article at the
mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end
is (preferably) at
least about 1.01. More preferably, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of
the aerosol-
generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating
article at the distal
end is at least about 1.02. Even more preferably, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between
the diameter of the
aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-
generating article at
the distal end is at least about 1.05.
A ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at
the mouth end
and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end is
preferably less than or equal
to about 1.30. More preferably, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the
aerosol-generating
article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at
the distal end is less
than or equal to about 1.25. Even more preferably, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between
the diameter of the
aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-
generating article at
the distal end is less than or equal to about 1.20. In particularly preferred
embodiments, a ratio
(DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth
end and the
diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end is less than or
equal to 1.15 or 1.10.
In some preferred embodiments, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the
aerosol-
generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating
article at the distal
end is from about 1.01 to 1.30, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.30, even more
preferably from 1.05
to 1.30.
In other embodiments, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-
generating
article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at
the distal end is from
about 1.01 to 1.25, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.25, even more preferably
from 1.05 to 1.25. In
further embodiments, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-
generating article at
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the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal
end is from about
1.01 to 1.20, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.20, even more preferably from
1.05 to 1.20. In yet
further embodiments, a ratio (DmE/DDE) between the diameter of the aerosol-
generating article at
the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal
end is from about
1.01 to 1.15, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.15, even more preferably from
1.05 to 1.15.
By way of example, the external diameter of the article may be substantially
constant over
a distal portion of the article extending from the distal end of the aerosol-
generating article for at
least about 5 millimetres or at least about 10 millimetres. As an alternative,
the external diameter
of the article may taper over a distal portion of the article extending from
the distal end for at least
about 5 millimetres or at least about 10 millimetres.
In embodiments of aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the
invention, wherein
both aerosol-cooling element and support element are present, these are
preferably wrapped
together in a combined wrapper. The combined wrapper circumscribes the aerosol-
cooling
element and the support element, but does not circumscribe a further
downstream, such as a
mouthpiece element.
In these embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element and the support element are
combined prior to being circumscribed by the combined wrapper, before they are
further
combined with the mouthpiece segment.
From a manufacturing viewpoint, this is advantageous in that it enables
shorter aerosol-
generating articles to be assembled.
In general, it may be difficult to handle individual elements that have a
length smaller
than their diameter. For example, for elements with a diameter of 7
millimetres, a length of about
7 millimetres represents a threshold value close to which it is preferable not
to go. However, an
aerosol-cooling element of 10 millimetres can be combined with a pair of
support elements of 7
millimetres on each side (and potentially with other elements like the rod of
aerosol-generating
substrate, etc.) to provide a hollow segment of 24 millimetres, which is
subsequently cut into two
intermediate hollow sections of 12 millimetres.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the other components of the aerosol-
generating
article are individually circumscribed by their own wrapper. In other words,
the upstream element,
the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the support element, and the aerosol-
cooling element
are all individually wrapped. The support element and the aerosol-cooling
element are combined
to form the intermediate hollow section. This is achieved by wrapping the
support element and
the aerosol-cooling element by means of a combined wrapper. The upstream
element, the rod
of aerosol-generating substrate, and the intermediate hollow section are then
combined together
with an outer wrapper. Subsequently, they are combined with the mouthpiece
element ¨ which
has a wrapper of its own ¨ by means of tipping paper.
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Preferably, at least one of the components of the aerosol-generating article
is wrapped
in a hydrophobic wrapper.
The term "hydrophobic" refers to a surface exhibiting water repelling
properties. One
useful way to determine this is to measure the water contact angle. The "water
contact angle" is
the angle, conventionally measured through the liquid, where a liquid/vapour
interface meets a
solid surface. It quantifies the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid
via the Young equation.
Hydrophobicity or water contact angle may be determined by utilizing TAPPI
T558 test method
and the result is presented as an interfacial contact angle and reported in
"degrees" and can
range from near zero to near 180 degrees.
In preferred embodiments, the hydrophobic wrapper is one including a paper
layer
having a water contact angle of about 30 degrees or greater, and preferably
about 35 degrees or
greater, or about 40 degrees or greater, or about 45 degrees or greater.
By way of example, the paper layer may comprise PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or
silicon.
The PVOH may be applied to the paper layer as a surface coating, or the the
paper layer may
comprise a surface treatment comprising PVOH or silicon.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, an aerosol-generating article in
accordance with the
present invention comprises, in linear sequential arrangement, an upstream
element, a rod of
aerosol-generating substrate located immediately downstream of the upstream
element, a
support element located immediately downstream of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate, an
aerosol-cooling element located immediately downstream of the support element,
a mouthpiece
element located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element, and an
outer wrapper
circumscribing the upstream element, the support element, the aerosol-cooling
element and the
mouthpiece element.
In more detail, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may abut the upstream
element. The
support element may abut the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-
cooling element
may abut the support element. The mouthpiece element may abut the aerosol-
cooling element.
The aerosol-generating article has a substantially cylindrical shape and an
outer diameter
of about 7.25 millimetres.
The upstream element has a length of about 5 millimetres, the rod of aerosol-
generating
article has a length of about 12 millimetres, the support element has a length
of about 8
millimetres, the mouthpiece element has a length of about 12 millimetres.
Thus, an overall length
of the aerosol-generating article is about 45 millimetres.
The upstream element is in the form of a plug of cellulose acetate wrapped in
stiff plug wrap.
The aerosol-generating article comprises an elongate susceptor element
arranged
substantially longitudinally within the rod of aerosol-generating substrate
and is in thermal contact
with the aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor element is in the form of
a strip or blade,
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has a length substantially equal to the length of the rod of aerosol-
generating substrate and a
thickness of about 60 micrometres.
The support element is in the form of a hollow cellulose acetate tube and has
an internal
diameter of about 1.9 millimetres. Thus, a thickness of a peripheral wall of
the support element
is about 2.675 millimetres.
The aerosol-cooling element is in the form of a finer hollow cellulose acetate
tube and has
an internal diameter of about 3.25 millimetres. Thus, a thickness of a
peripheral wall of the
aerosol-cooling element is about 2 millimetres.
The mouthpiece is in the form of a low-density cellulose acetate filter
segment.
The rod of aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least one of the types of
aerosol-
generating substrate described above, such as homogenised tobacco, a gel
formulation or a
homogenised plant material comprising particles of a plant other than tobacco.
In the following, the invention will be further described with reference to
the drawings of
the accompanying Figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of an aerosol-generating
article in
accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of another aerosol-generating
article in
accordance with the invention.
The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a rod 12 of
aerosol-
generating substrate 12 and a downstream section 14 at a location downstream
of the rod 12 of
aerosol-generating substrate. Further, the aerosol-generating article 10
comprises an upstream
section 16 at a location upstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating
substrate. Thus, the aerosol-
generating article 10 extends from an upstream or distal end 18 to a
downstream or mouth end
20.
The aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 45 millimetres.
The centre of
mass of the aerosol-generating article is approximately 65 percent of the way
along the length of
the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end.
The downstream section 14 comprises a support element 22 located immediately
downstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate, the support element
22 being in
longitudinal alignment with the rod 12. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the
upstream end of the
support element 18 abuts the downstream end of the rod 12 of aerosol-
generating substrate. In
addition, the downstream section 14 comprises an aerosol-cooling element 24
located
immediately downstream of the support element 22, the aerosol-cooling element
24 being in
longitudinal alignment with the rod 12 and the support element 22. In the
embodiment of Figure
1, the upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 24 abuts the downstream end
of the support
element 22.
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As will become apparent from the following description, the support element 22
and the
aerosol-cooling element 24 together define an intermediate hollow section 50
of the aerosol-
generating article 10. As a whole, the intermediate hollow section 50 does not
substantially
contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article. An RTD of the
intermediate hollow
section 26 as a whole is substantially 0 millimetres H20.
The support element 22 comprises a first hollow tubular segment 26. The first
hollow tubular
segment 26 is provided in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube made of
cellulose acetate. The
first hollow tubular segment 26 defines an internal cavity 28 that extends all
the way from an
upstream end 30 of the first hollow tubular segment to an downstream end 32 of
the first hollow
tubular segment 20. The internal cavity 28 is substantially empty, and so
substantially
unrestricted airflow is enabled along the internal cavity 28. The first hollow
tubular segment 26 ¨
and, as a consequence, the support element 22 ¨ does not substantially
contribute to the overall
RTD of the aerosol-generating article 10. In more detail, the RTD of the first
hollow tubular
segment 26 (which is essentially the RTD of the support element 22) is
substantially 0 millimetres
H20.
The first hollow tubular segment 26 has a length of about 8 millimetres, an
external diameter
of about 7.25 millimetres, and an internal diameter (DF-rs) of about 1.9
millimetres. Thus, a
thickness of a peripheral wall of the first hollow tubular segment 26 is about
2.67 millimetres.
The aerosol-cooling element 24 comprises a second hollow tubular segment 34.
The
second hollow tubular segment 34 is provided in the form of a hollow
cylindrical tube made of
cellulose acetate. The second hollow tubular segment 34 defines an internal
cavity 36 that
extends all the way from an upstream end 38 of the second hollow tubular
segment to a
downstream end 40 of the second hollow tubular segment 34. The internal cavity
36 is
substantially empty, and so substantially unrestricted airflow is enabled
along the internal cavity
36. The second hollow tubular segment 28 ¨ and, as a consequence, the aerosol-
cooling element
24 ¨ does not substantially contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-
generating article 10. In
more detail, the RTD of the second hollow tubular segment 34 (which is
essentially the RTD of
the aerosol-cooling element 24) is substantially 0 millimetres H20.
The second hollow tubular segment 34 has a length of about 8 millimetres, an
external
diameter of about 7.25 millimetres, and an internal diameter (Ds-rs) of about
3.25 millimetres.
Thus, a thickness of a peripheral wall of the second hollow tubular segment 34
is about 2
millimetres. Thus, a ratio between the internal diameter (DF-rs) of the first
hollow tubular segment
26 and the internal diameter (Ds-rs) of the second hollow tubular segment 34
is about 0.75.
The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a ventilation zone 60 provided at
a location
along the second hollow tubular segment 34. In more detail, the ventilation
zone is provided at
about 2 millimetres from the upstream end of the second hollow tubular segment
34. A ventilation
level of the aerosol-generating article 10 is about 25 percent.
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In the embodiment of Figure 1, the downstream section 14 further comprises a
mouthpiece
element 42 at a location downstream of the intermediate hollow section 50. In
more detail, the
mouthpiece element 42 is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-
cooling element 24.
As shown in the drawing of Figure 1, an upstream end of the mouthpiece element
42 abuts the
downstream end 40 of the aerosol-cooling element 18.
The mouthpiece element 42 is provided in the form of a cylindrical plug of low-
density
cellulose acetate.
The mouthpiece element 42 has a length of about 12 millimetres and an external
diameter
of about 7.25 millimetres. The RTD of the mouthpiece element 42 is about 12
millimetres H20.
The ratio of the length of the mouthpiece element 42 to the length of the
intermediate hollow
section 50 is approximately 0.6.
The rod 12 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate of one of the types
described above.
The rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate has an external diameter of about
7.25
millimetres and a length of about 12 millimetres.
The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises an elongate susceptor
element 44
within the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. In more detail, the
susceptor element 44 is
arranged substantially longitudinally within the aerosol-generating substrate,
such as to be
approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod 12. As shown
in the drawing of
Figure 1, the susceptor element 44 is positioned in a radially central
position within the rod and
extends effectively along the longitudinal axis of the rod 12.
The susceptor element 44 extends all the way from an upstream end to a
downstream end
of the rod 12. In effect, the susceptor element 44 has substantially the same
length as the rod 12
of aerosol-generating substrate.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the susceptor element 44 is provided in the
form of a strip
and has a length of about 12 millimetres, a thickness of about 60 micrometres,
and a width of
about 4 millimetres. The upstream section 16 comprises an upstream element 46
located
immediately upstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate, the
upstream element 46
being in longitudinal alignment with the rod 12. In the embodiment of Figure
1, the downstream
end of the upstream element 46 abuts the upstream end of the rod 12 of aerosol-
generating
substrate. This advantageously prevents the susceptor element 44 from being
dislodged.
Further, this ensures that the consumer cannot accidentally contact the heated
susceptor element
44 after use.
The upstream element 46 is provided in the form of a cylindrical plug of
cellulose acetate
circumscribed by a stiff wrapper. The upstream element 46 has a length of
about 5 millimetres.
The RTD of the upstream element 46 is about 30 millimetres H20.
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The aerosol-generating article 110 shown in Figure 2 has substantially the
same overall
structure of the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1, and will be
described below insofar as
it differs from the aerosol-generating article 10.
As shown in Figure 2, the aerosol-generating article 110 comprises a rod 12 of
aerosol-
generating substrate 12 and a modified downstream section 114 at a location
downstream of the
rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. Further, the aerosol-generating
article 10 comprises an
upstream section 16 at a location upstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating
substrate.
Like the downstream section 14 of the aerosol-generating article 10, the
modified
downstream section 114 of the aerosol-generating article 110 comprises a
support element 22
located immediately downstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate,
the support
element 22 being in longitudinal alignment with the rod 12, wherein the
upstream end of the
support element 22 abuts the downstream end of the rod 12 of aerosol-
generating substrate.
Further, the modified downstream section 114 comprises an aerosol-cooling
element 124
located immediately downstream of the support element 22, the aerosol-cooling
element 124
being in longitudinal alignment with the rod 12 and the support element 22. In
more detail, the
upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 124 abuts the downstream end of
the support
element 22.
In contrast to downstream section 14 of the aerosol-generating article 10, the
aerosol-
cooling element 124 of the modified downstream section 114 comprises a
plurality of
longitudinally extending channels which offer a low or substantially null
resistance to the passage
of air through the rod. In more detail, the aerosol-cooling element 124 is
formed from a preferably
non-porous sheet material selected from the group comprising a metallic foil,
a polymeric sheet,
and a substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In particular, in the
embodiment illustrated in
Figure 2, the aerosol-cooling element 124 is provided in the form of a crimped
and gathered sheet
of polylactic acid (PLA). The aerosol-cooling element 124 has a length of
about 8 millimetres,
and an external diameter of about 7.25 millimetres.
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